Aster Group donates over 30 abandoned bikes to Julian House

Housing association Aster Group has donated over 30 abandoned bikes to local charity, Julian House to help vulnerable people gain new skills through bike refurbishment workshops and raise essential funds.

The bikes were picked up from several housing estates managed by Aster across Wiltshire where they’d been left by previous owners and were no longer being used. While tidying the estates, the housing association saved 33 bikes from going to landfill and instead donated the haul to Julian House.

Julian House supports vulnerable and at-risk people including adults and young people experiencing homelessness, escaping domestic abuse, adults with learning difficulties and people who need support after leaving prison.

Every year the charity helps over 1,800 vulnerable people take part in a range of workshops including bike maintenance and refurbishment, as well as sports and cookery classes. The bike workshops started over 10 years ago in Bath as part of the charity’s meaningful occupation programme.

The bikes donated by Aster will be refurbished by volunteers and sold in Julian House charity shops to raise money for the charity.

Sarah Durrans, Regional operations director at Aster Group, said: “We thought it would be great if the bikes could be gifted to people that might not otherwise be able to afford to buy a new bike. A bike is so much more than a leisure activity, it can boost people’s physical and mental well-being and also provides a means for people to travel and get out and about."

Michael Sherratt, bike workshop manager for Julian House thanked the team for the donation and said: "This is a great gift, and we thank Aster for these bikes. With this donation, Julian House can continue its great work."

For further information about Aster please visit www.aster.co.uk, and to find out more about Julian House please visit www.julianhouse.org.uk.