Forestry Commissions Scotland’s 7stanes Mountain Bike team today joined pupils at St Peter’s Primary School, Dalbeattie, to send bikes and books to Malawi.

In support of the work that the Krizevac charity does for Malawian communities, the pupils put in a superb effort to collect bikes and books to send on to the Chilomoni township.

The Commission – along with local cycling business Trailbrakes – offered to help out by collecting the bikes and books from the school and help get them started on their journey to Malawi.

Chris Flanagan, from St Ninian’s Church in Newton Stewart, worked with the school to organise the collection.

Chris said: “Chilomoni is a peaceful community but it is extremely poor. It is a densely packed urban area but there is little employment, few opportunities for learning and poor infrastructure. The children of St Peter’s Primary and their families have done a fantastic job to collect so many bikes and books and it will make a huge difference to some of the people over there.”

Doug Knox for the Commission’s 7Stanes team added: “We are so fortunate to have great opportunities to cycle in Scotland including the 7stanes mountain bike trails in Dumfries and Galloway. We really hope these bikes, many of which have been cycled by the children of St Peter’s Primary around 7stanes trails, will give much enjoyment to people in Malawi who are much less fortunate than ourselves.”

Pete Corson, owner of Trailbrakes, added: “We were only too happy to provide our customised bike carrying trailer to help start the donated bikes on their long journey to Malawi. I’m sure the bikes will be greatly appreciated and bring much enjoyment to their new owners in Malawi.”

The bikes are due to complete their journey by sea via Mozambique and then over land to Malawi within the next couple of months.

www.7stanes.gov.uk