Haydon Wick Parish Council is once again partnering with The Bike Shed to support its popular Christmas Bicycle Scheme, helping ensure more local children can experience the joy of receiving a bicycle at Christmas.
The Bike Shed, based in Old Town, has been running the initiative for several years, collecting unwanted bicycles, refurbishing them and distributing them to children and families who may otherwise be unable to afford one.
The scheme offers a simple way for residents to make a meaningful difference in their community while also helping to reduce waste by giving unused bicycles a new lease of life.
Following the success of last year’s collection campaign, Haydon Wick Parish Council has agreed to support the scheme again in 2026 by providing local drop-off points and coordinating collections on behalf of The Bike Shed.
The scheme proved a great success in 2025, with 22 bicycles donated by residents. Every bike collected was refurbished by The Bike Shed and gifted to children across Swindon in time for Christmas. The success of last year’s campaign demonstrated the generosity of the local community and the real difference a simple bicycle donation can make to a child’s Christmas.
Residents will be able to donate bicycles in reasonable condition that are suitable for servicing or repair. Donations will be accepted at the Parish Council’s Grounds Maintenance Facility, Old Blunsdon Road, on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 24 November to 17 December, between 2.30pm and 3.30pm. Additional Saturday collection sessions will take place on 28 November and 12 December from 9.30am to 11.30am.
Councillor Leanne Stevenson, Vice Chair of Community Development Committee who proposed the initiative for a second year running, said:
“Last year, thanks to the generosity of local residents, we collected 22 bicycles. Every one was refurbished and gifted to a child in Swindon, helping make Christmas that little bit more special.
“We know there are bikes sitting unused in sheds and garages. This is a simple opportunity to give them a new home, reduce waste and bring some Christmas joy to local children.”
Councillor Vinay Manro, Chairman of Haydon Wick Parish Council, added:
“Every bicycle deserves a second life, and every child deserves the opportunity to enjoy the freedom and excitement that comes with owning one.
“For some families, a bicycle can be a significant expense, particularly at Christmas. This scheme brings our community together to support local families, reduce waste and give children something they can enjoy long after Christmas Day.
“I encourage residents to support the scheme again this year and help make a real difference.”
All donated bicycles will be safely stored before being transferred to The Bike Shed, where volunteers will assess, service and refurbish them before distributing them to children and families in need ahead of Christmas.
The scheme provides a range of community benefits. Refurbished bicycles help encourage children to be more active, build confidence and enjoy outdoor recreation while promoting healthy lifestyles and improved wellbeing. It also gives residents an opportunity to support local families directly while contributing to environmental goals through reuse and waste reduction.
By extending the life of unwanted bicycles, the scheme prevents perfectly usable items from being discarded, reducing waste and supporting the Council’s wider environmental objectives. Funding for publicity and associated costs will be met through the Council’s existing Climate Change budget, reflecting the project’s strong sustainability credentials.
Only bicycles will be accepted as part of the collection. Unfortunately, toys and other donated items cannot be received, and no home collection service is available. Residents are asked to bring their bicycles to one of the designated drop-off locations.
Last year’s campaign saw 22 bicycles donated, all of which were successfully restored and given to children in Swindon. Haydon Wick Parish Council hopes to build on that success in 2026 and is encouraging residents to check their sheds, garages and gardens for bicycles that could be transformed into a child’s treasured Christmas gift.
One unwanted bike could become the highlight of Christmas morning for another child.
Collection Details
Grounds Maintenance Facility, Old Blunsdon Road, Haydon Wick
- Tuesdays and Thursdays
- 24 November to 17 December 2026
- 2.30pm to 3.30pm
Additional Councillor-Led Collection Sessions
- Saturday 28 November 2026, 9.30am to 11.30am
- Saturday 12 December 2026, 9.30am to 11.30am
