_space group has been working with Catcote Special Business and Enterprise College, in Hartlepool, since 2008, when we met them as one of five student companies we invited into Spaceworks for a series of business and enterprise workshops as part of the Young Enterprise North East Company programme. The students and teachers got a lot out of their time with us, were able to use our advice to enhance their business, and even saw one of their students go on to win an award from Young Enterprise North East later that year.
Ever since then, we've kept in touch with one another, and when we saw their latest venture, bike reconditioning business 1.2. Free Bikes, at the Young Enterprise North East annual trade fair in February, we couldn't resist working with them again. We suggested that if they were able to recondition 101 bikes, then we would sponsor the bikes to be sent to Africa, complete with Catcote/_space group pink stickers on them.
The team rose to the challenge and Wednesday saw the re-named 1.2. Free Bikes 4 Africa, putting the finishing touches to their fleet of bikes at Hullavington airfield in Wiltshire. The six students and two teachers involved were able to sticker and examine each of the 101 bikes, ensuring that they safely joined 262 other bikes and an assortment of school equipment heading for the Gambia, courtesy of charity Jole Rider.
We all felt that watching the lorry transporting a crate containing hundreds of bikes and pieces of equipment that would eventually make life better for hundreds of children who aren't lucky enough to be born with the same advantages that we are was a privilige. For Catcote's part, they are even more eager to get on with the job and recondition more bikes, which they hope will go to Africa. With agreements in place from a number of companies in Teesside, including Hartlepool Police, we don't think they'll be short of offers. From _space group's point of view, this is why we exist - it is great to know that the _space effect is being felt worldwide, and that we can help to create sustainable communities not only in the UK, but across the world.
The team (from left to right): Paul Snowden, 16, Kirsty Robertson, 16, Terence Elner, 17, Christopher Gleeson, 17, Scott Bates, 16 and Tiffany Partington, 16.
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