CTC Cambridge

Tuesday 29 August 2023 

Greg writes: CTC means "Cycle To College!". That's not what you thought it stood for, but in this instance it's a correct understanding of what it means. Let me explain.

Gemma, my son's partner, has been helping a refugee family in Cambridge. After a harrowing time in camps in Sudan they are now here. Amir^*, the eldest boy, is learning to read English and has found it a challenge: most of the books designed to be first readers are too babyish for a teenager to be interested in. Gemma therefore spends some time trying to get him interested in reading.

Bike #1: Condition on receipt

However, his new school looms in September and getting to and from college was a worry. So Gemma said to my son Stuart: "Do you think your Dad might be able to help with getting a bike for Amir and perhaps one for his brother? It would really help them a lot?"

So it came to pass that I put the word out to the good folks of CTC Cambridge: "Could anyone help", I asked. We had a number of responses. Some were people wishing us luck but we actually did get the offer of at least two bikes. How fantastic was that!

What's more, the volunteers at Dr Bike in Stapleford generously offered to give them a service and check them for roadworthiness etc.

I collected the bikes from their kind donors, John S ferried them to and from Dr Bike Stapleford where the volunteer team got involved in replacing some key components and bringing them back to roadworthy status. A stunningly generous contribution to the project from Dr Bike Stapleford!

Bike #2 after attention: new chain and freewheel, replacement tyres, a new stand and functioning brakes. Similar work done on Bike #1.

But the last word goes to Gemma: "Amir was absolutely thrilled. He is usually quite quiet but when I showed up and said that this was his bike, he was like 'what??!! That's mine?!!'. He was so pleased that it looked like an "adult" bike: he loved the basket, the stand, the lock (!), And especially the lights on the wheel. I can't stress how much his face lit up and how cool he thought it was. We read for an hour (!!) afterwards, his choice!"

Greg

Find out about Dr Bike Stapleford

^*Name has been changed