That winter cycling kit you don't want anymore? Two Dublin club riders have plans for it; to help rough sleepers.
Two Dublin cyclists have teamed up with the Simon Community in the city to gather up as much cycling kit as possible to clothe rough sleepers.
Lucan CRC’s Brian Hammond and Clondalkin CC’s Colin Maher, both of whom are well known on the racing scene, want cyclists – that’s you – to donate items of clothing they don’t need any more but which could be worn by those on the streets to keep warm this winter.
Obviously some cycling gear would not be suitable to donate, but there are plenty of items in the typical cyclist’s winter wardrobe that fit the bill.
Cyclists and runners are being asked to donate tops, jerseys, jackets, hats, gloves, gilets, rain jackets and base layers to Dublin Simon Community.
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A number of cycling shops in the city have joined the new scheme meaning all you have to do is stick the clean kit into a bag and drop it off at one of the designated shops for Dublin Simon Community to collect and distribute.
Maher said the idea started on a Sunday morning club spin.
“As we were about to set off on our spin we noticed there were some people sleeping rough nearby,” he explained.
“It really affected us a club that there were people sleeping rough in our community.
“We were only there to meet our friends and head out on a spin and here were these poor guys who had to spend the night there in the cold.
“At times like that you realise how fortunate you are and so we decided to do something.”
Hammond said after starting the idea in his own Lucan CRC and Maher’s Clondalkin CC last year, the plan now was to broaden the idea citywide.
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“The response last year was incredible,” he said.
“I lost count of the numbers of bags of cycling, running tops, jackets, hats, gloves and all kinds of great clothing that we were able to collect and give to Simon.
“We thought to ourselves that if we can fill this amount from just two clubs; imagine the difference we could make for Simon if we get every club in Dublin involved.”
And Martina Bergin, from Dublin Simon Community’s rough sleeper team, said kit designed for sports activities in the winter would really help those on the streets.
“Cycling and running gear is ideal for our clients on the streets,” she said.
“Every night our team hands out gear to our clients as base layers that can be worn under their clothes.
“These extra layers provide extra warmth when bedding down on the streets at night or when walking around during the day.
“It is simply all about keeping people warm and sports gear, like cycling tops and jackets, are ideal for this”.
Maher said he believes all cyclists and runners would have kit to donate if they took the time to simply look in their wardrobe.
“All cyclists and runners have loads of gear that either doesn’t fit, or it was an impulse buy or they simply never wear it anymore,” he said.
“We hope all keen cyclists will go through their wardrobes and fill a bag.”
Hammond said any other Dublin cycling club or shop that wanted to get involved should contact him or Maher; [email protected] or [email protected].
The shops where you can drop off your kit for the homeless are:
- Base2Race, Unit 46, Fashion City, Ballymount Road Upper, Co. Dublin
- Bikeworx, M4 Business Park, Celbridge Co. Kildare
- Cycle Superstore, 31 Airton Road, Tallaght, Dublin 21
- Maynooth Cycles, Newtown Shopping Centre, Maynooth, Co. Kildare
- Wheelworx, Fonthill Retail Park, Lucan, Co. Dublin
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