Andy saddles up to support cycling cafe
WHEN keen cyclist Andy Webster saw bikes being repaired under a tarpaulin at Autism Initiatives’ café and bike workshop MeCycle, in Ainsdale, he galvanised his work colleagues to raise money for a gazebo.
Andy, a consultant at Southport’s MHA Moore and Smalley, encouraged staff to raise money and they held dress down days, a name the bear competition, and cake sales.
Andy said, “I cycled coast to coast in the summer and was always in the bike café, getting to know the guys there.
“When I saw them repairing bikes under a tarpaulin I knew we could do better.
“MHA Moore and Smalley is very community-focused and we always want to do something to help our locality, so this seemed an ideal project.
“We even held cake sales by buying the cakes from Autism Initiatives’ other café, A Great Little Place, in Southport, and then selling them at work.”
Thanks to their efforts they raised £320 to purchase the gazebo, provided at cost by Sun Leisure.
Jon Gordon, Autism Initiatives’ social enterprise manager, said, “This gazebo will be such a help to the cafe as we use it for events like security tagging, in conjunction with the council, and bike maintenance training.
“We’ll also use it when we go out with our mobile bike servicing project.
“Thanks to all the staff at MHA Moore and Smalley Southport for their enthusiasm in raising so much money.
“The gazebo is going to be a great asset to our Ainsdale café.”
Danny Houghton, partner at MHA Moore and Smalley added, “MeCycle is a fantastic project and great business initiative.
“We’re thrilled to be able to support them in any way we can and firmly believe in what they’re trying to achieve.”