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Norquay students sport new wheels

April 29, 2021 News Story, School Activity
Norquay - Bikes

Norquay School students want to ride their bicycles, bicycles, bicycles.     

Twenty-five Norquay students will receive brand new bikes and helmets courtesy of Woodcock Cycle Works.

In the fall, Woodcock Cycle held its annual charity raffle, with all proceeds going toward the Boys and Girls Clubs of Winnipeg.

“I’ve had my shop for 35 years,” said Tim Woodcock, owner of Woodcock Cycle. “I’ve been in the business a long time and I’m at the point in my life where I just want to give back and do what we can.”

Heather Black, Boys and Girls Clubs of Winnipeg director of community engagement, said it was Woodcock Cycle that approached the youth-service agency about making a big bike donation. 

“They asked us, ‘Do you have some kids that would like bikes?’ Well, we have lots of kids that would love a quality new bike,” Black said.

“We operate 12 clubs in Winnipeg, including a club at Norquay School. We have a great partnership with the school and it’s definitely a community where children would benefit from this sort of opportunity.”

On April 23, Grade 1 students Mia and Charles were presented with their bikes. The other Norquay students will receive their bicycles over the next couple weeks. 

Norquay principal Cree Crowchild said the gift of a new bike is a big deal for Norquay students and their families. 

“Thirty-eight percent of our families live below the poverty line,” Crowchild said. “Those students don’t have the same opportunity that individuals in other areas of the city have to buy new bikes.”

Crowchild said Norquay School sent out a survey to its families to determine which students could use a new bike. 

“Our families are really good. Some replied that they already had a bike and to give it to another family that might not be as fortunate. We’re looking out for each other,” Crowchild said. 

For Woodcock, it’s a great time to be in the bike business. The pandemic has resulted in bicycle boom, with people looking for safe outdoor activities to participate in.

“People have said that once this pandemic is over, which is hopefully soon, that biking won’t be as popular,” Woodcock said. 

“But, I don’t know about that. I think there are a lot of lifetime cyclists coming out of this. People are changing their whole way of life, taking the time to exercise and understanding how important it is.” 

“Cycling is a great sport and it’s good for kids too. When I was growing up, my bike was my lifeline. We traveled everywhere on our bikes.” 

Crowchild can see Norquay students also getting stoked on spokes. 

“This could be the spark in a student’s life that gets them to be a part of the cycling community,” Crowchild said.


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