A FERRING convenience store has helped to jump start donations towards accessible bikes for all in the Worthing area.

Southern Co-op’s Ferring retail store has made a £1,000 donation to the charity CYCALL which has a mission to provide adapted cycling equipment for all disabled people.

But the equipment goes further than just disabilities as it is also hoped it will help those with emotional barriers such as dementia and social isolation.

Martine Walters, the woman and ideas behind the charity, knows first hand how important it is to not let a disability stop you.

Martine, 45 from Ferring, said: “I have a degenerative muscle wasting disease called Charcot-Marie-Tooth which I was diagnosed with in my teens but my husband doesn’t let anything stop us.

“The bikes will allow people to take a support worker or friend with them.

“However, we have also got a team of buddy riders lined up to accompany people such as those isolated by illness or age.

“It will be a social experience for them.”

Martine, who used to be a special needs teacher, first came up with the idea after seeing similar projects in other counties but the majority of them focus on disabilities rather than the wider social benefits for the whole community.

Martine said: “We are a small charity and all of us are volunteers so the donation from Southern Co-op is just amazing.”