Free wheelers
“He had arrived in Edinburgh from Damascus with not much more than the clothes on his back and had used what little funds he had to purchase a battered, second-hand bicycle.
“He asked if I could come with him to get it fixed but he was told it was beyond repair. We got talking to the bike shop owner, who was kind enough to donate a working bike to Yaman.”
As an asylum seeker, Yaman was not permitted to work at the time and was living off just £5.66 in daily living allowance so could not afford the cost of something as simple as public transport.
Steven added: “The bike instantly transformed Yaman’s life. He could explore his new surroundings, access essential services and connect with community activities. It got me
Steven set up charity providing revamped bikes to help refugees get from A to B thinking about how many other people would be in his position – recently arrived in Scotland and struggling, as well as how many others, like the bike shop owner, would want to help them out.”
Operating from a room in his own home, Steven put out a call for secondhand bike donations which he and fellow volunteers would refurbish before donating to refugees and asylum seekers in need.
In April 2017, the project became a registered Scottish charity, with two bike workshop hubs in Glasgow and Edinburgh. And by February 2020, they had handed out their 1000th bike.
Steven, who is now working full-time for the charity due to a high demand for bicycles, said: “We are now at 1300 bikes. Due to Covid we have a backlog of more than 400 households on our waiting list.”
Donated bikes are fixed by volunteers who are largely asylum seekers and refugees. The charity even offers a national accredited bike mechanic course to furnish new arrivals with skills while they refurbish bikes for their peers.
When lockdown began, the charity turned to helping key workers who were trying to avoid public transport.
He said: “We had about 40 pedal and electric bikes ready to go and a huge waiting list. So many people were offering bikes for NHS workers but there was no easy way of getting them to those who needed them.
“We set up an online scheme so those who wanted to loan or donate a bike in their area could do so. Anyone in need of a bike could then log on and find their perfect local match.
“Police, NHS frontline workers, pharmacists and care home workers have all used the service as well as the many refugees and asylum seekers who have been volunteering during the pandemic.”
The charity is always looking for bike donations, and hopes to grow further in the coming years under the guidance of a board of trustees which include Yaman –the original inspiration for the project.
From humbling acts of kindness and selfless acts of bravery to raising millions for charity, it’s no wonder the Pride of Scotland has been hailed as “the People’s Oscars”.
The combination of big hearts and big stars made last year’s inaugural Daily Record Pride of Scotland Awards, in partnership with TSB, a runaway success.
Last month, we launched our search for the unsung heroes of 2021 and, unsurprisingly, Steven has received several nominations.
He said: “It’s lovely to be recognised for the work we’ve been doing and we’re delighted to be nominated. A bike is more than just a mode of transport for new Scots, it’s a lifeline.”
Do you know someone as selfless as Steven? If so, now is the time to tell us about them.
Winners will be announced at a spectacular televised event this summer.
STEVEN McCLUSKEY ON THE BICYCLE PROGRAMME