Teen Tom wins custom bike

Teenager Tom Gardner from Tavistock in Devon has won a bike designed to his own specifications from the charity Jole Rider based in Tetbury, Gloucestershire.

The first Bike Draw organised by the education charity, one of the UK’s largest bicycle recycling organisations, raised over £1000.  The money will go to Jole Rider‘s Bikes4Africa programme and will be used to deliver bikes to Africa, enabling more than 100 children to get to school.

Tom, 13, was at WOMAD last July when his mum, Lucy, bought a Draw ticket at Jole Rider’s stand for the chance to win a customised bike, built by the charity to the winner’s own specification.

Tom has chosen a white mountain bike, with red wheels and red features.  The bike has been built from a combination of new and recycled bike parts at Jole Rider’s base, The Bike Shed in Tetbury, by Graeme Richardson, a member of the charity’s team.

The now newly powder coated Giant aluminium frame was previously donated to Jole Rider and has been fitted with new parts and personally badged with Tom’s name.

Tom said, “I can’t believe we won and I got to choose my own bike, it’s amazing and I picked my favourite colours. My bike will be unique and I can’t wait to show everyone at my school, Tavistock College. It’s good that we have also been able to help other children get to school by giving them bikes.”

Tom’s mother, Lucy, adds, “Tom has been so excited about winning, but what is really important is that he has learnt about children less fortunate than himself, and also can appreciate how lucky he is.  What’s more he is going to donate his old bike which will go to a school in Africa.”

When Tom collects his bike from The Bike Shed on Saturday 14 March, a new Bike Draw will be launched.  Tickets cost just £5 each month with 12 chances each year to win a bike. All proceeds go to support the charity.  Each supporter who takes part in the Draw will receive a Badge-A-Bike virtual gift, normally costing £60, every December.  The virtual gift badges a Bike4Africa, delivered to a school in Africa, bearing a person’s name and personal message.