Local MP Gordon Banks was with Friends of the Whins last week (Friday) to meet staff and users and to look at how their recent funding award from the Big Lottery Fund is being spent.

The project recently received funding of £9,995 from the Big Lottery Fund to allow disabled users to participate in cycling around Clackmannanshire.

The grant will fund a multi purpose hand crank bicycle, a trike with full suspension, a company cycle (no hand crank), a company cycle (with hand crank), a tandem, stabilisers, footplates, handgrips as well as all the necessary safety equipment and insurance.

MP Banks, along with local Councillor Sam Ovens met with users and staff and even tried out some of the new cycles during his visit.  Mr Banks said –

“It was very rewarding to speak to the users and to see the excitement that these new cycles have generated with everyone at the centre.  Cycling is an incredibly fun activity and I’m delighted that many of the centre’s users will have the opportunity to get out and about on the many cycle paths across Clackmannanshire.”

“The Friends of the Whins deserve huge credit for applying for this money.  Thanks should also go to the management who assisted with this application as there is a great deal of organisation required.  It is important that those with disabilities are given every opportunity to benefit from activities that many of us take for granted  These new cycles will provide users at the centre a tremendous freedom and new opportunities to see some of the beautiful sights across the county.”