THE Southern Highlands branch of Bicycles for Humanity is set to send its third container of bikes to Namibia.
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The Highlands branch is part of the Sydney chapter and has been a big contributor to the charity, sending more than 1000 bikes, wheelchairs and walkers to Africa in shipping containers.
The shipping container itself becomes a bike shop in Namibia to assist with the local Bicycle Empowerment Centre run by Australian Michael Linke to offer locals the opportunity to get involved with business practice.
When it arrives in Namibia, it will be half emptied and a door will be cut in along with a walkway and pergola off the side that becomes the workshop and the shop.
Training is provided and locals can progress from apprentice to bike mechanic.
While most of the bikes will be sold as part of the new shop, some are given to doctors, nurses and teachers who often travel great distances for work.
The Southern Highlands group was set up by Hans Radowitz and Murray Loane after they saw the 7.30 Report's story on Bicycles for Humanity.
"I've always wanted to do something like this, but having the means to do it wasn't there so after I saw the story I rang them up and the rest is history," Mr Radowitz said.
The support of the community and the Wingecarribee Shire Council has allowed the Southern Highlands group to be more successful than their Sydney counterparts.
"The council donated the space at the Resource Recovery Centre as well as providing the container workshop," Mr Loane said.
Local bike shops have also been instrumental, collecting second hand bikes and donating second hand parts that would be of no use to anyone else.
Group member and bike mechanic Paul Teeuwen-Green said local mountain bike events like the Highland Fling and Three Ring Circus were also big donators.
While this is the third container load from the Southern Highlands - this time packed with 412 ready-to-ride bikes - Sydney is only working on its second.
Mr Paul Teeuwen-Green credited the group's flexibility and availability for that as members are either retired or work part-time.
"Our little group started collecting at the same time as Sydney and we're the only group to restore bikes to full working condition instead of spraying them with WD40," he said.
The latest container is the biggest shipping container available and the group has filled it in less than 12 months. It will arrive in Namibia mid year, once logistics for transport from the Highlands to Africa can be organised.
In the past, shipping has been donated by Maesk, a Dutch company and Mr Radowitz said he hoped they would do the same for the latest container load.