Youngsters saddle up thanks to lottery funding

A community interest company has received funding from the National Lottery Commission which is allowing young people to benefit from cycling and Thai boxing activities.

5UP has used some of the funding to help 12 young individuals from Holyhead School, who have been attending the organisation 's Bring It On Brum programme for the past two years.

They were each rewarded with a mountain bike and three months ' free membership to Domin8 Academy, a local Muay Thai Boxing gym.

Staff at Halfords ' Oldbury branch - manager Jamie Baker and chief bike technician Jan Cooke - helped 5UP source the mountain bikes relevant to the budget the were allocated by the National Lottery and added accessories which included front and rear lights, mudguards, bike lock, pump, water bottle, slime tyre sealant in each wheel and a one-year service warranty.

West Midlands Police officer Richard Chant has created an account with Bike Register, meaning each bike can be tracked via a QR code registered to WMP 's database if it is stolen.

David Beale, teacher at Holyhead School who helped 5UP facilitate the programme, said: “The students that were selected have been regularly attendees at the Muay Thai gym and have participated with 5UP 's free holiday activities and food programme during the school holidays over the last two years.

“We hope this reward will encourage more of our students to engage with 5UP and their free school holiday programmes. ”