Elizabeth College donates 28 bikes to Guernsey charity

The charity said it would send all bikes in May to rural Africa to give them "a new lease of life"

A Guernsey college has donated 28 bikes to charity in support of World Environment Day.

Elizabeth College donated the bikes to the Eleanor Foundation, which has collected about 4,500 bikes since 2013.

The charity said it would send all bikes in May to rural Africa to give them "a new lease of life".

Allister Carey MBE, from the charity, said he was grateful to the college, and that the initiative could "transform lives in many ways".

'Global citizenship'

He said: "Our Bikes to Africa project has been running for 11 years and during this time close to 4,500 bikes have been donated.

"Many people living in Africa have no access to transport of any kind - the average time spent walking to school, work or collecting water can be at least four hours a day.

"A bicycle lightens this burden significantly improving health as well as education and work opportunities."

The college said World Environment Day was "a vibrant event dedicated to sustainability, reusing and recycling", which were key elements for the Eleanor Foundation.

The charity was created in August 2012 following the death of 22-year-old Eleanor Carey, who died in 2011 whilst cycling in London.

It said she had "believed strongly in the importance of sustainable development".

Mr Carey said the charity had since received "further offers of bikes" since the college's eco charity day.

Brain Aplin, geography teacher at the college, said the project "not only benefits those in need but also fosters a sense of global citizenship and responsibility among our students".