NEWPORT WI's Bikes for Africa project has collected 60 bikes to send to a recycling charity in the space of just six weeks.

The campaign was started by WI member, Grace Hagen who was looking to dispose of a new bike that her husband could not use.

"With some research I found a charity re-cycle.org that works with Halfords to collect used bikes, which they then send off to Africa," said Grace.

"As a keen WI member, this charity appealed to me, as one of Re-Cycle's main target groups in Africa, is women.

"Women in Africa do most of the heavy household work. A bike for them becomes a water carrier, the school bus, provides access to employment, health workers and midwives; an ambulance and of course transport to markets to sell their goods.

"With the help of my WI friends we gave ourselves a year and a target of 50 bikes to complete this project. In six weeks we managed to collect just short of 60."

The bikes were stored in a shed belonging to Brian James in Felindre Farchog. Because of the large number of bikes, Halfords head office provided an articulated lorry to pick them up.

"It was an exciting and emotional time as we loaded the bikes and the last one to go on was my husband's bike, which had started it all," said Grace.

"Many thanks to all the people who donated their bikes, to Brian and Cath for storage, to WI helpers Sue Foster, Carol Griffith , Jill Lester and to others too numerous to mention and to Halfords for sending such a huge lorry down to collect all the bikes.

"In new hands, we hope these bikes will improve and advance people's lives in Africa."