Primary school buys bikes and helmets with funding from Geraint Thomas’ charity

A primary school is running an after-school cycling club and teaching bike safety thanks to a £2,900 donation from Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas.

The funding has allowed Pantside Primary School, in Newbridge, to buy ten bikes and ten helmets, and also teach bike safety to pupils.

It is the first school to have been supported by the Geraint Thomas Charitable Trust, which was set up when the Cardiff-born cyclist won the Tour de France in 2018.

It is one of five projects to have received funding from the trust over the last 12 months.

The aim of the funding is to create cycling programmes for disabled children and young carers, as well as those living in deprived areas.

The school has a high percentage of pupils entitled to free school meals.

Pantside Primary School teacher Beverley Daniels, said: “We wouldn’t have been able to purchase the bikes and run the club without the Geraint Thomas Cycling Trust.

“It’s vital that our children learn how to control a bike and learn to ride safely when they are in the community. Some of our pupils who were unable to ride a bike are now cycling and, just as importantly, our pupils who could ride have learnt safety skills and are better able to control their bikes.”

Geraint Thomas, 37, said: “I was always really lucky growing up that I was given a bike and I had a brilliant cycle track just around the corner. But not everyone’s in that position. It’s why we set up the charitable trust in the first place so I’m just really pleased to hear that the kids in Pantside now have access to bikes and a safe place to cycle.”

Speaking at the trust’s latest fundraising launch in London, Thomas, explained: “We have deliberately targeted projects for children and young people who wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to enjoy cycling.”