How one Rotary member turned lockdown into a life‑changing bike collection movement
When the UK went into lockdown in 2020, most community projects were forced to pause. But for Jackie Wellman, then President of the Rotary Club of Rayleigh Mill, it became the unexpected start of a remarkable partnership with Re‑Cycle.
After hearing a talk from Re‑Cycle’s fundraising manager about the charity’s work, Jackie and her fellow Rotarians were eager to help. The pandemic, however, halted any immediate plans to collect bicycles across South Essex. Yet lockdown brought an unforeseen opportunity: with people stuck at home, garden sheds were being cleared out, rubbish tips were closed, and unwanted bikes suddenly needed somewhere to go.
Undeterred by restrictions on movement, Jackie began gathering names of people with bikes to donate. Using Facebook and Nextdoor, she put out a simple request, and the response was overwhelming. Although she couldn’t collect the bikes straight away, she carefully logged every offer. As soon as restrictions eased, Jackie set out to collect them all.
Since then, Jackie, supported by fellow Rotarian Bob Taylor, has been delivering donated bikes to Re‑Cycle’s warehouse in Wormingford, ensuring they can be shipped to communities in Africa where they transform daily life. What began as a lockdown initiative has grown into a long‑running community effort across Rayleigh, Hockley, Southend, and the surrounding areas.
Today, Jackie has collected and delivered over 1,000 bikes, a milestone that reflects both her dedication and the generosity of residents across Rayleigh, Hockley, Southend, and the surrounding areas.
Thanks to the generosity of local residents, Jackie continues to be inundated with offers of unwanted bicycles. Six years on, her commitment shows no sign of slowing. As long as people keep donating, Jackie and Bob will keep collecting.
Jackie extends her heartfelt thanks to everyone who has donated bikes over the years — and to Rotarian Steve Gale, who provides one of his Steve’s Self Drive Hire vans free of charge to make the collections possible. She also acknowledges Bob Taylor and the many Rotary Club of Rayleigh Mill members who have supported the effort from the beginning.
Their dedication has helped hundreds of bikes find a second life, creating lasting impact for people who rely on bicycles for education, healthcare, work, and independence.
