World Bicycle Relief has been nominated as the official global charity partner of the World Cycling Championships in Scotland this summer (there’s also Maggie’s cancer charity as the ‘national charity partner’). Alongside all the competition for striped jerseys, there will be a selection of World Bicycle Relief fundraising events, and they’re looking for volunteers.
Mark Kiehlmann, an Agile Project Manager based in Glasgow, has volunteered for World Bicycle Relief since 2020 and is looking forward to leading the charity’s Cycling World Championships MTB volunteer team alongside his wife and three children:
“I’ve witnessed first-hand the transformation that bicycles can bring to children, women and men in countries like Kenya where I once worked. Children could shorten the time taken to get to school by cycling, allowing them to travel more safely and quickly while providing more time for essential chores like collecting firewood or water. While women I met, like Irene, could transport more of the food she grew easily, sell it fresh and get home safely by bicycle.”
“The Cycling World Championships is going to be an incredible opportunity to share World Bicycle Relief’s life-changing message that anyone, anywhere in the world should have the opportunity to pursue their goals without feeling stuck or unsafe due to distance or lack of transportation. I can’t wait to get involved in the biggest cycling event ever where the world’s greatest riders will make history in Scotland and show the world the power of the bike – all while making a difference to communities around the world! ”
There are two ways to get involved:
Firstly, you could volunteer to help out at one of the planned fundraising events that will be running alongside the Championships. Maybe your employer operates a Corporate Social Responsibility Scheme that would let you help out at a World Bicycle Relief event, while also soaking up the atmosphere at Fort William, or Glentress?
Secondly, if you’ve got an idea for a fundraising event that you think would be a great addition to the festival of cycling that Scotland is hoping to deliver, then World Bicycle Relief would like to hear from you. Whether it’s a fundraiser that would take place at one of the World Championship locations, or local to you, they’re keen to hear about and support fundraising ideas. Maybe this is your chance to reignite interest in a local ride spot while also raising funds for bikes abroad?
However you would like to get involved, please email the World Bicycle Relief team to start the conversation. Just £120 buys a Buffalo Bike, and can be the catalyst to a world of access to education, healthcare, and new horizons. Maybe you can be part of making that happen?
