Donations get Roch Valley Raiders Club back on track

Stuart Howarth (Rochdale Council), Yvonne Mills (Roch Valley Raiders) and Leigh White (Parkwood Leisure)

Roch Valley Raiders BMX Club, struck by thieves earlier this year, is bouncing back thanks to a double donation.

In February Roch Valley Raiders based at Queens Park in Heywood was struck by a devastating blow after all its equipment was stolen during an overnight raid. Around £15,000 worth of bikes, helmets, tools, safety equipment and more were taken, causing great distress to the many young people who ride on the track every week.

After hearing the club’s plight the Rochdale Ccouncil donated £1,000 which was matched by another £1,000 from Parkwood Leisure.

Stuart Howarth, Casualty Reduction Officer at the council, whose team organise cycle safety training for schools across the borough said when they heard the clubs story they wanted to help: “Roch Valley Raiders is a great community club providing a safe place for children to learn a skill, exercise and be competitive. Their bikes were used by children who weren’t lucky enough to have their own so it was heart-breaking to hear about them having to miss out. Our partner Parkwood Leisure helps us deliver cycle training in schools and they were happy to assist, matching our donation with another £1,000 which will help the club as they continue to replace what was cruelly taken away.”

Yvonne Mills, BBC Sport’s North West Unsung Hero for 2014 who set up the club six years ago to give children a safe place to ride, said she was thrilled with the support: “Everyone has been so generous to us, we have been blown away by the support, this really does mean a lot to all our members and myself, we are ever so grateful.”

In the next few days Ms Mills will be choosing the cycles and equipment which will be delivered to the club later this month.

Leigh White from Parkwood Leisure, the local authority health and fitness provider said: “Yvonne has done a sterling job setting up and running this club, hopefully this donation of £2,000 of new equipment will get the club back in saddle and pedalling, we were very pleased to be able to assist.”

If you would like to donate to the club visit www.gofundme.com/rvrbmx or phone 07954 413 061.

Security measures at the club have been reviewed since the incident and anyone with information about the break-in is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.