When refugees like Noura arrive in Oxfordshire, from Syria, Ukraine or elsewhere, they need to get places for shopping, services, work and education. Most can't afford to run a car, but a bike let's them get around the city or town quickly and cheaply. It's one of the things they seek out.

Sanctuary Wheels will provide free, refurbished bikes and tuition for hundreds of refugees across Oxfordshire. This includes, of course, the many refugees who are fleeing war in Ukraine and arriving now into our county. We will provide free, refurbished bikes, lights, locks, helmets and translated tuition so that refugees can benefit from being able to get around independently and get to know their new communities.

To raise awareness and funds for Sanctuary Wheels, I am: 

• Riding from Oxfordshire to Paris and back 13-22 June 2022. This is a trip to meet up with some former work colleagues, but instead of taking the easy option of Eurostar or CO2-intensive plane, I'm cycling. 

• Riding the Bike Oxford event, 3rd July 2022, as part of the Active Oxfordshire team, taking on the 80 mile route.

Sanctuary Wheels is a joint project between Cyclox, Active Oxfordshire, Asylum Welcome, the Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service and other community groups. Many volunteers help to source and refurbish the bikes (check Oxon Fire and Rescue website or social media if you have an unused bike to donate). But we need money to pay for some things.

A donation of £20 will pay for lights and lock for one bike.
£60 will cover all the costs to refurbish and provide a bike for one refugee.

Please help with any donation.