The humble bike makes a huge difference to children worldwide. While in New Zealand it is the ultimate gift to be found under the Christmas tree, in parts of the developing world it is so much more, for instance transforming an arduous walk along dangerous roads into a manageable cycle to the classroom.
“Leading to improved grades, better learning capacity and higher attendance, bicycles are key to ensuring children have access to education,” says ChildFund New Zealand.
The charity is planning on celebrating the difference bikes can make in the lives of children with the ultimate Christmas upcycle – building a seven-metre-tall Tree of Bikes on Auckland’s Queens Wharf. The tree, to be built with the generous support of Beca and Enterprize Steel, will feature Aucklanders’ donated bikes and will light up the wharf throughout December.
When the tree is disassembled, any working bikes will be re-gifted to Auckland community groups. New Zealanders can also give back by purchasing a bike for communities in need through ChildFund’s Gifts that Grow catalogue.
