But as the inclusive cycling charity celebrates the milestone anniversary, volunteers fear the future of the much-loved sessions is in jeopardy as rising venue hire costs threaten to make them financially unsustainable.
Wheels for All is a national charity that delivers inclusive cycling opportunities across England, helping everyone to experience the joy and benefits of cycling.
L to R: Sue Couplands, Malcolm Angus, and Phill Lodge (Image: NQ)
Adapted bikes give disabled people the chance to stay active and feel part of a community, with many of those attending sessions becoming regulars.
“We’ve got bikes to cover virtually everyone’s needs,” explained Phill Lodge, who has been volunteering with Wheels for All in Warrington for six years.
“It gets people out there doing it, and feeling the freedom of bikes.
Jack and Tina Wilson always enjoy coming to sessions (Image: NQ)
“If you look at them when they’re going round, you see the smiles on their faces, and it makes it all worthwhile.”
Phill and all of the volunteers know the majority of the clients by name and which bike they prefer to ride.
Another volunteer, Sue Couplands, has been with the charity for ten years.
“It gives me the opportunity to get out the house, and it makes you feel so good when you can see their enjoyment and confidence,” she said.
All bikes at Wheels for All are bought by the charity (Image: NQ)
Participation in the two-hour-long sessions, which take place on Friday mornings, costs £6, and participation continues to increase – but so does the cost of running the service.
Warrington Borough Council currently charges the group £60 per hour to use the athletics track at Victoria Park, with the fee understood to be increasing to £70 per hour.
“It’s frustrating, because we’re volunteers,” said Phill.
“We don’t get paid – we’re willing to give up our time, but at £60 an hour it’s unsustainable.”
Speaking to participants on the day, it was clear that Wheels for All offers a much-needed service for many in the community.
Anita Shearer, 74, and her daughter Lyndsay Shearer, 41, have been coming to sessions at Victoria Park for years.
Anita and Lindsay Shearer (Image: NQ)
Lyndsay’s dad, Ian Shearer, is also a volunteer and helps to set up in the mornings.
“When we found out about Wheels for All many years ago, we decided to give it a go because Lyndsay never managed to balance on two wheels,” Anita said.
“Here, they’ve got three wheels and four wheels, and she can just zip about on her own.
“Her confidence is great, and she can get out and get the exercise, which she loves.”
Anita said that while the group is always looking for volunteers, its biggest challenge is the cost charged by the council to run the sessions.
Warrington Borough Council has been contacted for comment.
For the group’s 35th anniversary, a bake sale was organised to help raise funds.
To find out more about the charity, and how you can get involved, visit: https://wheelsforall.org.uk/locations/warrington-wheels-for-all