Bicycle film is backed by top Hollywood star (From Gazette)

Bicycle film is backed by top Hollywood star

7:00pm Thursday 25th June 2009

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A FILM about a Colchester charity which ships unwanted bikes to Africa has premiered in the US and won plaudits from a Hollywood star.

The work of Re-Cycle was lauded by Full Metal Jacket and West Wing actor Matthew Modine, as its volunteer workers got their big screen debut at the Bicycle Film Festival in New York.

Set up more than ten years ago by former West Mersea resident Merlin Matthews, the organisation collects bikes from all over the area and restores them at its Eastgates workshop.

It recently sent its 30,000th bicycle abroad and has particularly close links with African partners, including Ability Bikes in Ghana, a co-op run by disabled staff which is the focus of the movie.

Memphis Belle star Mr Modine, who encourages people to travel by bike through his charity Bicycle for a Day, said the film showed how Re-Cycle helped people both overseas and at home.

He said: “The charity supports the efforts of Re-Cycle because it puts bikes within the reach of people that have no access to bicycles. Re-Cycle empowers individuals and offers them the possibility to learn how to rebuild bikes.

“Everybody wins – from the bike donors to the recipients whose lives are transformed upon receiving the gift.”

Brighton-based Mr Matthews, 36, whose dedication to his cause saw him battle malaria after a 2000 trip to Ghana, said: “We hope the film will help spread the word about what Re-Cycle does and encourage others to make good use of unwanted bicycles, at home and abroad.

“We’re excited about the film and are delighted to have the support of Matthew Modine.”

Entitled Re-Cycle – the Journey of the Mighty Bike, the film charts both how bikes are collected and prepared in Colchester and the impact they have in developing countries.

Owning a bike can make a huge difference to the lives of people in rural Africa where there is little public transport.

For more information on the charity visit www.re-cycle.org

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