Foundation work with Thorn and Zumtobel to donate bikes to local causes

A generous bike donation has helped the Foundation of Light make a difference to the lives of dozens of young people around Sunderland.

Thorn and Zumtobel, innovators in lighting solutions, with a manufacturing plant based in Spennymoor, donated 20 bikes to support Foundation of Light programmes and participants.

On the donation, Lesley Spuhler, CEO of the Foundation of Light said: “We are incredibly grateful for the donation from our friends at Thorn and Zumtobel.

“Working with people from a range of backgrounds across Sunderland and the North East, we see first-hand the inequality that some children have to grow up with.

“Riding a bike seems like such a simple pleasure that every child should experience, but the truth is that it is a privilege that some have to go without.

“We are delighted to donate some of the bikes to the Sunderland Young People’s Bike Project, which will hopefully mean no child will have to miss out on their teaching, and will learn skills that they can carry with them for the rest of their life.”

The bikes were donated to mix of individuals in need, or their children, who take part in Foundation of Light programmes, while 10 were given to the Sunderland Young People’s Bike Project.

The Sunderland Young People’s Bike Project aims to get as many people as possible to enjoy cycling, which includes delivering cycling safety sessions.

The bike donation will help them to teach cycling skills to disadvantaged young people who may not have their own bike.

"We are honoured to have been involved in supporting such a worthy cause, which will help to improve the lives of children and those in need as well as supporting health and wellbeing," added Paul Kilburn, Managing Director at Thorn and Zumtobel UK & Ireland, after seeing the positive impact that their donation had already made.