In memory of our dear friend and much loved colleague Richard Viney, 12KBW has resolved to hold an annual sporting challenge raising money for a sport-related charity.

For 2022 our chosen charity will be: World Bicycle Relief – Changing Lives With Bicycles.

WBR have developed a sustainable bike (called a Buffalo bike) that is suited to rugged terrain, can carry heavy loads and is easy to maintain. The bikes are provided to low-income, rural communities in countries such as Columbia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The idea is to help children get to school quickly and safely and to help adults get to work, set up businesses and access health care. Women and girls are prioritised. 

Communities receive training in bike maintenance and local shops are set up selling spare parts, providing some employment in the area. 

In 2021, WBR distributed 84,736 bikes, trained 169 local mechanics and opened 17 shops. WBR state that the bikes lead to significant increases in incomes and healthcare visits, as well as a decreases in pupil absenteeism. For example, in 2017 to 2018, 2,471 school girls were followed in three districts in Zambia. The study found that, with buffalo bikes, absenteeism and dropouts reduced and punctuality increased.  

To find out more about WBR, follow the link: https://worldbicyclerelief.org/

This year teams of members will be competing at the Active Training World Grafham Standard Distance Triathlon on 17^th September 2022: 1500m swim, 36k bike ride, 10k run.

You will find the link to the Richard Viney Just Giving page here: The Richard Viney Memorial Fund is fundraising for World Bicycle Relief (justgiving.com)

In this and future years please do join us in supporting causes which we feel certain Richard would have been so enthusiastic to support himself.

Thank you on behalf of all members of 12KBW.