Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis hands over a cheque to Lichfield Re:Cycle

A Lichfield group has secured a ‘wheelie’ good grant to help people get in the saddle.

The Lichfield Re:Cycle workshop has been awarded more than £2,300 from the Police and Crime Commissioner’s People Power Fund to provide free long-term bike loans to residents on low incomes to help them access opportunities by being able to get around easier.

Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis hands over a cheque to Lichfield Re:Cycle
Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis hands over a cheque to Lichfield Re:Cycle

James Flintham, of Lichfield Re:Cycle, added: “Thanks to the grant we have been able to establish the Wheelie Workshop and purchase new tools and equipment as well as parts for the bikes.

“We feel that it is incredibly important to create a sustainable form of transport for people through cycling, potentially enabling them to access full-time or better jobs.”

The People Power Fund offers grants of between £100 and £3,000 for local projects to help reduce anti-social behaviour and improve community safety, and is made up of money seized from criminals across Staffordshire.

Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis said: “This money is a win-win for Lichfield, giving people access to new experiences, jobs and income that haven’t been available to them previously.

“It is also helping people to literally get on their bikes and get out and about, improving their lives, mentally and physically, but also giving them the essential skills to develop their life chances and importantly their employment prospects.”

Founder of Lichfield Live and editor of the site.