The Rotary Club of Ilkley Wharfedale have thanked the people of Ilkley and the surrounding area for the generous donations of their used bikes, mobility aids, tools, sewing machines, spectacles and trainers at its recycle day on Saturday, 7 October 2023.
A spokesperson for the club said; "We collected around 40 bikes and 12 wheelchairs and other mobility aids for the Margaret Carey Foundation. They have these refurbished in prisons, which gives people involved useful skills when rehabilitating back into society. Some of these bikes and mobility aids are sold to raise funds to sustain the charity. The remainder are donated to people in need in the UK and overseas.
"During the collection there were times when some emotional support was required to the donors as it can be hard for some to part with their bikes which have given them many happy times and memories over many years.
"There were also four car-loads of tools as well as a dozen sewing machines collected for ‘Tools for Africa’ who refurbish them, sort them into trade tool kits and send them to the developing world to help further craft skills, perhaps by enabling people to set up their own independent workshops.
"In addition, we collected hundreds of spectacles for SpecSort – the flagship project of the Rotary Club of York Ainsty. They have trained opticians who sort, grade, distribute the glasses and often go out to developing countries to ensure everybody gets the correct grade of glasses. Their area of operation is now expanding from Africa to Asia.
"Finally, we received about 25 pairs of trainers for the Baisan charity, who passes these on to refugees and asylum seekers in the Bradford area.
"We would like to thank Bradford Council Parking Services who made four car parking spaces available for drop-offs on this Saturday when such places there are worth their weight in gold. We would also like to thank Eatons Funeral Directors of Ilkley for their substantial contribution to our new gazebo, which had its maiden outing at this event."