Charity Help Please!! « Singletrack Forum

Bike Forum

[closed]

Charity Help Please!!

29 posts & 9 voices | Started 1 year ago by robdob | Latest reply from robdob

Tags:

robdob - Member

Hi All!
I could tell a long story about it but it's pretty simple.

I am teaching a beginners cycle maintenance class for charity, and want to give the attendees a simple set of tools that they can use with their new found skills.

The sort of things I am looking for are Allen key sets, spanners, tyre levers, mini pumps and inner tubes. I especially think the free stuff that comes off magazines would be especially good (I got a reasonable set of allen keys off Cycling Plus recently). Anything would be useful I suppose, especially to the young-uns but I would like to give them something decent.

If you can help with any of those items, or anything else you have spare, can you email me on rcatkinATgooglemailDOTcom.

I would like new unused stuff only, as I am going to make a fabric tool roll for each participant to take away with them.

Any body work in a bike shop or magazine shop? I know the stuff off the magazines doesn't get sent back off the unsold copies - can you help?

I can gladly pay for postage or can pick up in West Yorkshire area.

Any initial questions please post on here.

Thanks in advance (hopefully!)

Posted 1 year ago #
PeterPoddy - Member

Rob, sounds brilliant, well done.
All my stuff is really well used though...

Have you tried emailing the mags direct? I'd have thought they'd jump at the chance to support something like this and get their name on the tools as well?
I'm specifically thinking MBUK here.

Maybe try an LBS as well?

Posted 1 year ago #
schrickvr6 - Member

I would like new unused stuff only,

Isn't that being a tad picky?

Posted 1 year ago #
Monkeeknutz - Member

No he's not you tight arse. Oh yeah....

Posted 1 year ago #
PeterPoddy - Member

Isn't that being a tad picky?

He's looking for freebies that most of us would put in the bin I think. So no, I don't think it is.

Sombody's trying to do something good. Can you not think of something positive to say?

Posted 1 year ago #
robdob - Member

Please if you can help have a search round your sheds and garages. I have found all the stuff I have, a set of cycling plus allen keys, 2 mini pumps, a CTC puncture repair kit, 4 inner tubes. But I need 10-15 sets altogether so I'm a long way off.

I need time to make the tool rolls and I've only got a month left till I do it so I'm in a bit of panic now.

Not had any answer from the magazines yet I'm afraid.

Posted 1 year ago #
PeterPoddy - Member

Rob, tell you what, I might be able to come up with something. Email me a list of what ideally like and I'll see what I can do.

I've been doing the same in a local project teaching disadvanteged kids bike mechanics recently too. It's brilliant TBH, a really good thing to do and it makes someone happy, so I'm all for it.

Posted 1 year ago #
Dr_Bakes - Member

I'm sure I got a set of Chain Reaction Cycles allen keys off the front of a magazine recently? They might be worth a call to see if they'd like to donate some of their leftover CRC branded sets?

Posted 1 year ago #
robdob - Member

PP, will do, although the post above does say it all really. I'll email Chain Reaction, thanks.

Posted 1 year ago #
robdob - Member

Even if you only have one thing I'll paypal you the postage for you to pop it in the post to me. Nothing will be resold and if unused, will be returned to you if you want.

Posted 1 year ago #
schrickvr6 - Member

He's looking for freebies that most of us would put in the bin I think. So no, I don't think it is.

Sombody's trying to do something good. Can you not think of something positive to say?

You're a c**t? No wait that's not positive either is it.... Oh well I give up.

I was all up for helping out untill I saw everything had to be new, I've got inner tubes, allen keys, grease guns, tyre levers etc but none of it is new, and I'm not going out to buy a magazine to get some free allen keys to give away.

But I do think it's good what he's doing, just don't see what the big thing is about the tools needing to be new.

Posted 1 year ago #
robdob - Member

But I do think it's good what he's doing, just don't see what the big thing is about the tools needing to be new.

Would it not be polite to ask me?
My feeling is that with unused stuff the recipient is getting something nice that they can take ownership of and look after. It will be a real blessing to them. Also there is some guarantee (although not much) that they will work ok and are not at the end of their useful life.

Just because it's charity doesn't mean you have to give them secondhand stuff.

If I can't get anyone to donate stuff I will buy it myself. I just thought someone on here may be able to help in just a small way.

I'm not asking for much, but being as I've had no replies apart from my own brother it doesn't look good.

If you cannot, or will not help, can I request you don't post on here starting a discussion which has no benefit for anyone apart from yourself?
I have stated what I needed, please leave it at that.

Thank you.

Posted 1 year ago #
robdob - Member

I'm not going out to buy a magazine to get some free allen keys to give away.

I wasn't asking you to go and buy a magazine. I rarely buy the magazines nowadays but after a clearout yesterday I found 4 unused items I can use plus I'm adding my spare boxed innertubes as well. As most people on here earn and buy way more cycling stuff than me I was hoping that the free stuff you got on the magazines may be gathering dust in a corner, not being used in favour of the shiny Park tools I know I would rather use if I had the choice.

Posted 1 year ago #
schrickvr6 - Member

Would it not be polite to ask me?

I thought I did in my first post..

Anyway sorry I wanted to help but the need for new stuff meant I couldn't so I wondered why you were being so picky. Then the internet police get on my back...

And I don't see how any of this benefits me I'm just wasting my time trying to help.

F it I won't be back

Toodle pip

Posted 1 year ago #
PeterPoddy - Member

And I don't see how any of this benefits me I'm just wasting my time trying to help.

No, you weren't. From the very ouset all you could do was criticse and call people (ME!) names. Why I can't imagine, but I see you mostly use this forum to buy and sell stuff, so I hope this comes back to bite you in the ass. I certainly wouldn't give you the steam off my pee with an attitude like that.

Posted 1 year ago #
schrickvr6 - Member

Oh grow up from the very outset I asked a serious question then you critsized me! Then yes I did rather childishly start calling you names (in jest), but it really winds me up when keyboard warriors get the wrong end of the stick and start throwing their e-weight around.

but I see you mostly use this forum to buy and sell stuff, so I hope this comes back to bite you in the ass.

I'm not quite sure what you are suggesting?

I like bikes, I sell any spare parts I have, I buy parts when I upgrade my bikes, I try to help wherever I can and occationaly ask for advice, what exactly is wrong with that?

If you want to continue this email me because this guys thread is ruined.

Cheers

Posted 1 year ago #
robdob - Member

Well it seems as everyone is as negative about it as I've had no offers whatsoever.

Thanks STW!

In all seriousness, if you can help please let me know.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Posted 1 year ago #
missingfrontallobe - Member

Re inner tubes, would possibly the best option be contacting either your LBS or one of the big online suppliers, and ask them to provide a box of tubes?

Posted 1 year ago #
robdob - Member

They are the only thing I don't have a problem with as I have some and can buy them really cheap (5 for £10). It's the tools that cost so much.

Posted 1 year ago #
Monkeeknutz - Member

I stick by my original comment...tight arse...

On another note I'll mail you Robdob and send over a few bits, not sure what I've got at the mo but I'm sure something will be along soon,

Thread save! FTW!

Cheers

Posted 1 year ago #
robdob - Member

Thanks very much to the couple of people who have replied so far. Still need help so this is a semi-blatant bump!!

Posted 1 year ago #
robdob - Member

Bump again as Ive only has a couple of replies. Any one got a spare puncture repair kit they dont need? I found two unused ones checking my cellar, must've got them free at some point....

Thanks

Posted 1 year ago #
taka - Member

there's a shop near my dad's which is closing down they have a load of puncture repair kits for about 50p each?

tom

Posted 1 year ago #
thebikechain - Member

YGM

Posted 1 year ago #
robdob - Member

thebikechain - I haven't received a mail from you, was just checking back and noticed your post.

Ok I have 7 sets of Allen keys now (thanks to a very kind person who bought them new from CR for me)
2 puncture repair kits
1 pump
Some inner tubes
1 can of GT85
2 sets of tyre levers

I need 8-10 sets of each, so can anyone help?

CR and Wiggle won't help, and I've had no response from the magazines. Mind you, I've just remembered STW!!!! [/goes off to find email address for Chipps]

Posted 1 year ago #
Karinofnine - Member

I could send you £20 towards it, then you can buy whatever you need and not have to pay postage? Have you got paypal?

Posted 1 year ago #
robdob - Member

As I have said to another (generous) person, I don't want cash but if you would like to order something for me from Chain Reaction cycles to be sent to me I will let you know what I need. If it doesn't get used then I can send it back so you get a refund. Send me an email on rcatkin@googlemail.com and I'll let you know what I need.

Thanks VERY much.

I will take photos and post them up after the event. If it's successful (it's my first time) I will try to repeat it in the future.

Posted 1 year ago #
robdob - Member

Ok folks I need some more pumps still but most stuff is now complete. If anyone has any spare unused minipumps then please get in touch.

I've got to get the sewing machine out and make the tool rolls next!!

Posted 1 year ago #
robdob - Member

Just a quick post to let you know how I got on at the weekend. Not as many people turned up as expected but the stuff that was donated was very well received. One young lad, Daniel was especially chuffed and I'm going to hopefully keep in touch.

I had to buy inner tubes and puncture repair kits myself as no one offered any. One guy was grateful for the tube as he got a puncture on the way to the venue and only had 1 tube which was the wrong size!!

I didn't get to take any pictures unfortunately as I was so busy I didn't have the time (even though I took the camera)!!

As not everything was used I am hoping to do something like this again soon.I really enjoyed it and want to widen the project. Don't know how or why yet. Might get in contact with council to see if they have anything planned for this sort of stuff.

As this is not concrete I have emailed the 3 donators to offer the donated goods back as promised.

Along with all the other classes that happened on the day (self defense, car maintenance, financial planning and many more, put on by qualified volunteers) more than £800 was raised. The money is going to Huddersfield Christian Fellowship, a community church who provides facilities to many local groups including toddler groups, single mums meetings, "young at heart" groups as well providing a not for profit meeting venue open to all.

Again, thanks very much for the help that was received, I couldn't have done it without you.

Oh, and if you are thinking of doing the same thing, go for it, it was loads of fun (but tiring at the same time.....)

Rob Atkin

Posted 1 year ago #

RSS feed for this topic

Topic Closed

This topic has been closed to new replies.

Singletrack Mountain Bike Magazine

Bike Forum

Charity Help Please!!

Topic Closed

Don't miss…

Singletrack

Website & Forums

Exits