Summer bike nights held in Paignton will help the Devon Freewheelers support the NHS with its ‘wonderful’ free courier service, thanks to a donation of £500.
The charity volunteers were invited to the Spinning Wheel Inn, in Paignton, where they were presented with the funds by English Riviera Bike Night organiser Paula Summers-Powell, members of the Riviera Charity Riders and South Devon Slaves and Demons.
Paula, who said support for the Devon Freewheelers went back many years, added: “They provide a wonderful service to the NHS and we feel, because we are bikers, we should support them.
“Devon Freewheelers are ever-present at our bike nights during the summer months and we are grateful to be associated with them.
“We have always supported them; it goes back a long way.”
Russell Roe, Devon Freewheelers deputy CEO, said: “The volunteers enjoy attending the weekly bike nights in Paignton. We go along to show our support for their charity and didn’t expect anything in return from them. We are so grateful for what they have done for us.
“The funds they have donated to the Devon Freewheelers will be ploughed back into the community by the volunteers, as they support the NHS with a free courier service, and anyone in need of our help across the South West.
“We would like thank Paula Summers-Powell, the Riviera Charity Riders and South Devon Slaves and Demons, for their continued backing of the Devon Freewheelers, and we look forward to being back at the bike nights when they return in the summer.”
The cash gifts were made possible thanks to the scores of bikers attending weekly English Riviera Bike Night social events on the eastern side of Paignton Esplanade.
Funds raised from the donations collected throughout the summer were split between a number of causes, including Devon Air Ambulance Trust, Children’s Hospice South West, Torquay Girls’ Grammar School and Lupton House, in Brixham.
Paula said: “The bikers donate £2 to park up and we share the money out between charities at the end of the year. It all goes back into the community.”
She added: “Honouring our pledge to distribute our share of English Riviera Bike Night money we gave our latest donation of £500 to Devon Freewheelers blood bikes.”
The Wednesday bike nights are organised by Riviera Charity Riders (Paignton), Paignton Festival, and sponsored By Geopark Cafe, The Spinning Wheel Inn and Amberon Traffic Management.
- Photo shows Devon Freewheelers’ volunteers with English Riviera Bike Night organiser Paula Summers-Powell, members of the Riviera Charity Riders and South Devon Slaves and Demons. Image: English Riviera Bike Night.