National Lottery Community Fund gives £380,000 to New Forest disability cycling charity PedAll

A CHARITY which helps disabled bike riders enjoy the New Forest has been awarded more than £380,000.

The money from National Lottery Community Fund will enable more guided rides for local disability groups and individuals and pay for a new ride leader.

PedAll is run in conjunction with New Forest Park Authority and is supported by the NHS, charity Scarf and Forestry England. It is operated from Burley and Ashley by more than over 50 volunteers and has a fleet of adapted bicycles which can help people with a wide range of physical and mental health conditions to go for a ride.

The Ashurst site also has a drop-in bike repair service and also provides ride skills training for young people with additional needs.

The funding will be spread over five years and will enable the charity run 250 weekly group rides annually and offer 200 ‘open ride’ sessions.

PedAll project manager Shelley Filby said: “We’re delighted that The National Lottery Community Fund has recognised our work this way.

“We know PedAll sessions have long lasting positive impacts on our riders. A recent survey said that 86% of riders said they were doing more exercise now than before.”

New Forest National Park Authority chair David Bence added: “The New Forest National Park with its relatively flat landscape and miles of gravel tracks, is the perfect place for people who may need a bit of help to get outside in nature.

“We have already seen through PedAll that cycling can change lives, with positive impacts on physical and mental health and giving people confidence to get out and explore. So it’s great that the project now has this financial backing to take it to the next stage.”

To find out more about PedAll visit www.pedall.org.uk.