A CHARITY bike store is in full swing thanks to a major cash boost.

The charity 3R Cycles, which offers reconditioned bikes at affordable prices, helps people suffering from mental illness to get back in the job market.

The workforce help to repair and recondition damaged bikes in order for them to be road safe again.

The charity is now up and running after receiving a number of grants and donations totalling £8,500.

Andrew Court, 45, won three grants to kickstart 3R Cycles, which aims to help mental illness sufferers to restore self esteem and confidence, while gaining work experience transferable to the job market.

Thanks to a long term donation by Weymouth-based DJ Property and three government grants, the registered charity is able to meet three times a week.

DJ Property’s donation is used to pay part of the monthly rent of the workshop, while the government grants have helped set it up.

Mr Court is also the Service Lead for Weymouth and Portland Community Service.

He said: “Now we’re up and running, we’ve been busy with bike repairs but not in terms of customers, as we have not yet raised publicity.

“The grants were absolutely essential. They’ve bought all the tools including spares, benches, and even pay part of the rent. We wouldn’t have been up and running without them.

He added: “We are in a very good position to offer bikes to the local community, especially people with very little money and without a high income.

“Prices start at £20 so the bikes are very affordable, and this includes the services and safety checks. If someone is struggling, we can see what we can do for them; they could possibly pay in installments.”

He added that 3R Cycles is aiming to be fixed and in place as a store, and they are hoping to start short maintenance courses, as well as ride-outs on local cycle tracks for the communities, in order for them to gain confidence and self-esteem.

Mr Court said: “Looking forward, we hope to be a very flexible store driven by the people who run the workshops.”

Cycles are donated by Dorset Police and members of the local community. 3R Cycles are always looking for old and unused bikes, which enter a reconditioning phase and are then screen-checked against a lengthy safety checklist, before being sold. Prices range from £20 – £100 dependant on make, size and condition.

The charity’s workshop is based on Cambridge Road, Granby Industrial Estate and is open Tuesday to Thursday from 9.30am to 4pm.