Cyclists mount static bikes to raise money for the homeless

CYCLISTS completed a cycling challenge to raise money for Rawtenstall homeless charity M3 Project.

Staff at Marks and Spencer’s new foodhall at New Hall Hey, Rawtenstall, selected M3 Project as the store’s chosen charity of the year and, to launch the link up, static bikes were ridden in the foyer for five hours.

The charity helps homeless 16 to 25-yearolds and works throughout East Lancashire.

Project manager Alan Dorrington, who did a five-mile park run before getting on the bike, said: “We are raising awareness of the work of M3 Project and also raising money as well.

“We would like to thank everyone who stopped by to ask us about our work and to the many who generously donated.

“This helped us to raise more than £350.

“The money will go to support our projects both for single young people in supported lodgings and learning to live independently and our teenage families.”

Two static bikes were provided by nearby Riverside Health Club for the fundraising event, and they were ridden almost non-stop for five hours by M3 Project employees and volunteers including staff from M&S.

M3 is currently undergoing a restructuring process and is bidding for funding from a variety of different organisations and trusts because the future of the charity’s traditional main source of income, the Supporting People budget administered by Lancashire County Council, is still uncertain.

Although the charity’s model will change, Alan said M3 will still be a major provider for accommodation for young homeless within Rossendale.

Newsletter and flyers were handed out to people to help spread awareness of the charity’s work.

Alan said: “We would like to thank Riverside Health Club for donating the bikes to help us carry out the event and also to M&S for their support.

“We are looking forward to arranging other activities at the foodhall in the near future.”

For more information on the work of M3 Project, visit www.rossendalem3. org. CONTACT: BIANCA MURRAY OFFICE: 0161 211 2958 MOBILE: 07467 336860 @BIANCAMURRAY88 bianca.murray@trinitymirror.com ●● From left, project worker at M3 Project Mathew Meynell and project manager Alan Dorrington with Riverside Health Club assistant manager Ben Stansfield and M&S customer assistant Kelly Curran