\n 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.\n<\/p>\n
\n Wheels for All is a national charity that delivers inclusive cycling opportunities across England, helping everyone to experience the joy and benefits of cycling.\n<\/p>\n
\n L to R: Sue Couplands, Malcolm Angus, and Phill Lodge (Image: NQ)\n<\/p>\n
\n Adapted bikes give disabled people the chance to stay active and feel part of a community, with many of those attending sessions becoming regulars.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cWe\u2019ve got bikes to cover virtually everyone\u2019s needs,\u201d explained Phill Lodge, who has been volunteering with Wheels for All in Warrington for six years.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cIt gets people out there doing it, and feeling the freedom of bikes.\n<\/p>\n
\n Jack and Tina Wilson always enjoy coming to sessions (Image: NQ)\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cIf you look at them when they\u2019re going round, you see the smiles on their faces, and it makes it all worthwhile.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\n Phill and all of the volunteers know the majority of the clients by name and which bike they prefer to ride.\n<\/p>\n
\n Another volunteer, Sue Couplands, has been with the charity for ten years.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cIt gives me the opportunity to get out the house, and it makes you feel so good when you can see their enjoyment and confidence,\u201d she said.\n<\/p>\n
\n All bikes at Wheels for All are bought by the charity (Image: NQ)\n<\/p>\n
\n Participation in the two-hour-long sessions, which take place on Friday mornings, costs \u00a36, and participation continues to increase \u2013 but so does the cost of running the service.\n<\/p>\n
\n Warrington Borough Council currently charges the group \u00a360 per hour to use the athletics track at Victoria Park, with the fee understood to be increasing to \u00a370 per hour.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cIt\u2019s frustrating, because we\u2019re volunteers,\u201d said Phill.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cWe don\u2019t get paid \u2013 we\u2019re willing to give up our time, but at \u00a360 an hour it\u2019s unsustainable.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\n Speaking to participants on the day, it was clear that Wheels for All offers a much-needed service for many in the community.\n<\/p>\n
\n Anita Shearer, 74, and her daughter Lyndsay Shearer, 41, have been coming to sessions at Victoria Park for years.\n<\/p>\n
\n Anita and Lindsay Shearer (Image: NQ)\n<\/p>\n
\n Lyndsay\u2019s dad, Ian Shearer, is also a volunteer and helps to set up in the mornings.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cWhen 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,\u201d Anita said.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cHere, they\u2019ve got three wheels and four wheels, and she can just zip about on her own.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cHer confidence is great, and she can get out and get the exercise, which she loves.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\n 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.\n<\/p>\n
\n Warrington Borough Council has been contacted for comment.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u00a0For the group\u2019s 35th anniversary, a bake sale was organised to help raise funds.\n<\/p>\n