Kirklees Together

A partnership between a local charity and the council has led to the installation of cycle and scooter storage racks in local schools.

The storage racks will make it possible for more children to travel to school by bike or on their push scooter and it’s all thanks to fundraising in memory of Mackenzie Mellor who sadly passed away in 2019.

Mac’s mum Rachael Mellor, a Bikeability instructor who works in the Kirklees area teaching children cycling skills approached us about the project.  We supported her with purchasing and installing the new racks and provided match funding of £3,225 to make sure as many children as possible could benefit from the project.

Mac was a cycle instructor locally too, he was incredibly passionate about helping children learn to cycle, which is why Rachael set up a memorial fund in his name- called “Mac’sBikes”.  The fund aims to provide both bike storage for schools, and bikes for children who wouldn’t otherwise have access to one but have been learning to ride at school.

Support for the project has also come from local fabricators P.A Welding who donated materials and staff time to help with the installation of the racks. Each of the cycle and scooter racks with hold a memorial plaque with the name “Mac’sBikes”.

The first schools to benefit from the project are Linthwaite Ardon CoE, Clough Head and Meltham CE.  As part of the Mac’sBike legacy, donations are also made of fully serviced second-hand bikes.

The goal is to be able to offer bike storage to as many schools in Kirklees as possible. Additionally, bikes are soon to be donated to St. Thomas’s CofE in Bradley and Honley High School where children have recently taken part in Bikeability.

Schools that are interested in getting involved as part of this fantastic legacy, or to help with the fundraising can contact Rachael Mellor at rachaelmellor@hotmail.com. Donations to Mac’sBikes can be made online at https://uk.gofundme.com/f/mac039s-bikes.

Rachael Mellor, Mac’s mum said:

“We at Mac’sBikes very much hope that the racking will encourage more active travel to school, improving the health and wellbeing of our children as well as the long-term benefits to the environment.”

Rachael Hodgson, Year Three class teacher & Health and well-being coordinator from Linthwaite Ardron said:

“We are so pleased to be the first school to receive a scooter pod from Mac’sBikes.  As a school we actively promote healthy travelling to school.  Our parents are very supportive, and we are so proud of our children making healthy lifestyle choices.  We cannot thank Rachel Mellor enough.  We hope she will continue to raise money for such a wonderful, heartfelt charity. “

Cllr Peter McBride, Cabinet Member for Regeneration said:

“The council is proud to be working with Mac’sBikes to deliver such a worthwhile project; bike and scooter storage, alongside the skills people like Mac and Rachael have given thousands of children over the years, makes it possible for children to travel to school in a fun, healthy and environmentally friendly way.  I hope that this love of cycling and scooting will stay with them and hopefully lead to more people taking up active travel as a regular activity as adults.”