A CALL has been made for Colcestrians to rally round to find bikes for refugees.

Colchester welcomed 11 refugee families from Syria and they are now settling into their new lives away from the war torn country.

Pam Nelson, of the Colchester Travel Plan Club, which promotes cycling and public transport, called for people to donate bikes for them.

She said: “It will help greatly if the refugees had bikes.

“They spend a lot of money getting around on the bus.”

Pam was able to work with charities such as Re-Cycle, based at Wormingford, to deliver adult bikes but now she needs bikes for the children.

“Maria Wilby, of Colchester Refugee Action, said there has been a need for bikes for refugees since they first arrived in Colchester just over a year ago.

She said: “The children had more pressing needs at first like school.

“We managed to get them a couple of scooters. Pam has been great at supplying bikes for adults but there are a lot of kids that don’t have one.”

Colchester welcomed 11 refugee families through official Government schemes but the borough also has other unfunded families from across the world including Afghanistan, Syria and Yemen.

Maria continued: “They all have kids aged 12 and under.

“At least 20-odd childen are still looking for a bike.

“The families are living on small amounts of money. These people are starting from scratch. Many schools in the area have helped with school uniforms and secondhand things but things like bikes are a luxury.”

Progress in supplying bikes has been gradual.

Maria added: “If feels sad some have got them and others haven’t.

“ Half of the people in town have received bikes for parents and for their children.”

Anyone wanting to donate a bike can contact Maria on 07503 027734.