Southampton charity receives lottery funding for exciting new project.

Monty's Bike Hub has received over £40,000 in lottery funding to help with new community cycle project.

The charity, based in the Sholing and Bitterne, repairs and resells second hand bikes to help people living in poor conditions.

The £40,731 from the People's Health Trust by the Health Lottery South East will be used for a two year project which will bring opportunities to the local community to meet people and gain skills.

The group already have adult and youth bike workshops, rides and events and are focused on teaching valuable practical skills as well as encouraging its members to be charitable to others.

Monty's Bike Hub is run by Josh Allen who has been working with children and young people, for the past five years, to improve help improve their chances of success. The project engages with schools to provide disadvantage pupils with practical skills and to get active.

Josh talks about the role of the project to bring the community together and encourage connections between people.

Josh said: "I’ve known loads of these kids since they were 9 or 10, and now that they are in their teens, we are trying to provide positive activities that engage them at a key time in their lives. Funnily enough, they always tend to come by the bike hub when they need a hand with something or if they need a bit of advice. I suppose the best way to describe it is that they know we will be there for them, no matter what.”

David Howells (78) is the oldest member of the project and has been an integral part.

Josh added: "Watching young kids learn new skills is all the inspiration you really need to keep going here, but David is a real asset to our project. Whether it’s simply providing a listening ear or physically repairing a bike, his dedication to the project keeps us going and keeps the whole place ticking over.”

Martin Ellice, Joint Managing Director of the Health Lottery, said: “Monty’s Bike Hub not only provides local members of the community with a safe space to socialise, it teaches them valuable life skills.

“They are bringing people of all ages together, and it is truly thrilling to hear.”