New Disability Cycling Club in Bradford
Posted: 18th May 2009
Dream of a disability cycling club comes true
A unique cycling club has been formed offering disabled people across the Bradford district the opportunity to take up riding with family, friends, carers or guardians.
It is a dream come true for a group of dedicated volunteers who have cycled thousands of miles between them to raise the money to start the Bradford Disability Cycling Club.
A fleet of bikes and trikes - some hand operated - for all ages and abilities has been bought by the club which was launched by Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe on Friday, May 8 at 11 30am, in Lister Park, Bradford.
Three years ago the charity Bradford Disability Sport & Leisure threw out a challenge for people to ride from Bradford to its twin town of Hamm in Germany and back to help raise money for special Olympians. While on the first ride the group, now known as the Hammsters, talked of doing it again - this time to set up a cycling club for the disabled.
Now thanks to help from Bradford Council and Bradford NHS Hospital Trusts and sponsors, the club is ready to roll from its base in the safe environment of the award winning Lister Park, Bradford. The club which will run from the courtyard to the left of Cartwright Hall also has a tandem which can be used to help partially sighted or blind people plus a couple of 'piggy-backs' and 'tag-a-longs'.
MP for Bradford South, Gerry Sutcliffe said: "This is a magnificent new venture for Bradford Disability Sport & Leisure and will offer from June disabled individuals, groups and local schools the opportunity to cycle around Lister park."
BDSL chair Pauline Montgomery said: "This is a very exciting new activity and makes Bradford a leading city for disability sports. I still find it hard to believe that BDSL has actually been able to get to the stage of opening our own cycling club. Even harder to believe is that the Hammsters are still out there three years on raising more money. I know it is a dream come true for many of them.
Triple Hammster veteran Francine Hoddy, the BDCC project manager said: "We can't wait to see the smiles of the riders when they feel the wind on their face and are filled with the sense of achievement, freedom and fun cycling brings. It will make the memories of all the aches and pains, cuts and bruises, and cycling in all weathers endured by the Hammsters disappear completely."
Some of the first participants will be pupils from Haycliffe School, Bradford's specialist sports college
Councillor Anne Hawkesworth Bradford Council's executive member for environment and culture said: "I am pleased to be associated with this new group and delighted that the council's highways and sports & recreation departments have been able to help."
Pauline added: "This has come about because of a remarkable partnership between the volunteers, statutory bodies and major private sponsors such as Sunwin Motors and Sovereign Health care.
For further information about how you can book sessions as individuals or groups contact BDSL on 01274 437093 or email bsr2@btconnect.com.
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