Bicycles for Humanity Melbourne has our third packing day of 2025 in just under a fortnight.
After the great success of our previous packing day, we would love to see as many volunteers as possible to help prepare our bicycle donations for transport to Namibia.
If you haven’t seen our new storage site yet at Toyota in Altona, now’s your chance.
We need as many hands as possible to help prepare our donated bicycles for transport to Namibia.
Both new and experienced volunteers are welcome, and no experience or skills are necessary. We will teach you what you need to know to contribute!
When: Sunday, 6th April 2025, 10am – 3pm
In case of bad weather (heavy storms/extreme heat), the day will be postponed. Don’t forget to slip, slop, slap as we will be working outside in the sun. It will probably be sunny and a bit windy, so dress appropriately. Keep an eye on the weather forecast.
Where: Our new site at Toyota Altona – 494 Grieve Parade, Altona North (enter at Gate 7)
What: Cleaning and packing of donated bicycles into the next shipping container.
Bicycles for Humanity Melbourne has our second packing day of 2025 in just under a fortnight.
After the great success of our previous packing day, we would love to see as many volunteers as possible to help prepare our bicycle donations for transport to Namibia.
If you haven’t seen our new storage site yet at Toyota in Altona, now’s your chance.
We need as many hands as possible to help prepare our donated bicycles for transport to Namibia.
Both new and experienced volunteers are welcome, and no experience or skills are necessary. We will teach you what you need to know to contribute!
When: Sunday, 16th March 2025, 10am – 3pm
In case of bad weather (heavy storms/extreme heat), the day will be postponed. Don’t forget to slip, slop, slap as we will be working outside in the sun. It will probably be sunny and a bit windy, so dress appropriately. Keep an eye on the weather forecast.
Where: Our new site at Toyota Altona – 494 Grieve Parade, Altona North (enter at Gate 7)
What: Cleaning and packing of donated bicycles into the next shipping container.
We are off to Namibia in July to visit the shops we supply and witness the difference you all make by donating money and bikes to B4Humanity Melbourne.
In order to prepare for this we have initiated a Strava challenge to see whether we can virtually ride to Namibia.
Bicycles for Humanity Melbourne has our first packing day of 2025 in just under a fortnight.
After the great success of our previous packing day, we would love to see as many volunteers as possible to help prepare our bicycle donations for transport to Namibia.
If you haven’t seen our new storage site yet at Toyota in Altona, now’s your chance.
We need as many hands as possible to help prepare our donated bicycles for transport to Namibia.
Both new and experienced volunteers are welcome, and no experience or skills are necessary. We will teach you what you need to know to contribute!
When: Sunday, 9th February 2025, 10am – 3pm
In case of bad weather (heavy storms/extreme heat), the day will be postponed. Don’t forget to slip, slop, slap as we will be working outside in the sun. It will probably be sunny and a bit windy, so dress appropriately. Keep an eye on the weather forecast.
Where: Our new site at Toyota Altona – 494 Grieve Parade, Altona North (enter at Gate 7)
What: Cleaning and packing of donated bicycles into the next shipping container.
Bicycles for Humanity Melbourne has our final packing day of 2024 in just under a fortnight.
After the great success of our previous packing day, we would love to see as many volunteers as possible to help prepare our bicycle donations for transport to Namibia.
If you haven’t seen our new storage site yet at Toyota in Altona, now’s your chance.
We need as many hands as possible to help prepare our donated bicycles for transport to Namibia.
Both new and experienced volunteers are welcome, and no experience or skills are necessary. We will teach you what you need to know to contribute!
When: Saturday, 7h October 2024, 10am – 3pm
In case of bad weather (heavy storms/extreme heat), the day will be postponed. Don’t forget to slip, slop, slap as we will be working outside in the sun. It will probably be sunny and a bit windy, so dress appropriately. Keep an eye on the weather forecast.
Where: Our new site at Toyota Altona – 494 Grieve Parade, Altona North (enter at Gate 7)
What: Cleaning and packing of donated bicycles into the next shipping container.
Bicycles for Humanity Melbourne has our fourth packing day of 2024 in just under a fortnight.
After the great success of our previous packing day, we would love to see as many volunteers as possible to help prepare our bicycle donations for transport to Namibia.
If you haven’t seen our new storage site yet at Toyota in Altona, now’s your chance.
We need as many hands as possible to help prepare our donated bicycles for transport to Namibia.
Both new and experienced volunteers are welcome, and no experience or skills are necessary. We will teach you what you need to know to contribute!
When: Sunday, 6h October 2024, 10am – 3pm
In case of bad weather (heavy storms/extreme heat), the day will be postponed. Don’t forget to slip, slop,slap as we will be working outside in the sun.
Where: Our new site at Toyota Altona – 494 Grieve Parade, Altona North (enter at Gate 7)
What: Cleaning and packing of donated bicycles into the next shipping container.
See some photos and video from the recipient of one of the donated wheelchairs we sent as part of our shipping containers normally full of bicycles to Namibia. The recipient of the wheelchair is very grateful and wrote us this letter:
Dear Bicycles for Humanity Melbourne,
My name is Filipppus Shigwedha from Namibia. I am hereby writing to appreciate for your generosity, for a replacement of my old and worn-out wheelchair with a brand new one.
Filipppus Shigwedha in his new donated wheelchair
As expensive as wheelchairs are, and as aging as I am (61), I did not know when and where I would get myself another wheelchair when my previous wheelchair worn-out. For months, if not assistance from my wife and children, I would be homebound. Surprisingly, you came to my rescue. My family and I are humbled and so grateful for your generosity. I feel so blessed to gain my independent portability back. Thank you for making my world a better place.
I am now able to get around and no longer a complete burden to my family. However, as you see in the video, our environment is so sandy. When I started using a wheelchair some years back, I was stronger and younger than now. Despite our sandy environment, pushing my wheelchair was not that much of a challenge then. Now that I am aging (61), my strength is also running out. I would humbly request, if possible, if your organization can extend the assistance to a wheelchair that at my age would be able to push or operate without assistance. That could be a wheelchair with thicker wheels or electronic wheelchair. This does not mean that I am not grateful, but rather focusing on the route of senior citizenship I am yet to conquer, in the geographical environment I live and bound in.
Once more, thank you so much for making the world a better place; giving hope to the hopeless like myself. I am verygrateful.
We are excited to announce Anne Chan as the new CEO of Bicycles for Humanity Melbourne.
Some parting words from the outgoing CEO Andy Finestone (Gild), who has been fundamental to the running and growth of Bicycles for Humanity Melbourne for the last 17 years.
If a bike had a windscreen I would be looking through it to a very exciting future! After a long search for the right person to take over the handle bars and steer Bicycles for Humanity (B4H) Melbourne towards our 30K30 goal, we have found Anne Chan!
We are very lucky to have Anne Chan re-join us to take over as CEO. As a previous volunteer, Anne has a deep understanding of what, how and why we do what we do. Anne helped us attain our tax deductibility status in the early years and has also spent time in Namibia, gaining hands on experience of the challenges setting up and running a bicycle workshop and associated organisation. She brings her expertise and passion at a time when we have a solid foundation on which to continue to grow. It is also very special that Anne has a connection to my wonderful co-founder, the late Matt McCullough whom we continually miss, and will be able to continue to guide his legacy forward.
It seems like yesterday, but in fact it was 2007. I was peering out the minibus window as the vast, hot and dry Namibian countryside flashed past. We were on our way to meet Hilya Ekanjo, the first female bicycle mechanic in Namibia, in the north of the country. Wanting to understand how our soon to be partner organisation, Bicycle Empowerment Network, Namibia (set up by the fabulous Michael Linke), managed to distribute pre-loved bicycles into the community by setting up shops and training locals in both business and mechanical skills.
I watched the many people walking, some carrying large loads, for what must have been 10s of kms. Little did I know that 17 years later Bicycles for Humanity Melbourne would be a fully-fledged, well established, 100% volunteer run organisation replete with a dedicated and passionate board, leadership team and deep volunteer base that has almost finished packing our 36th shipping container and have repurposed close to 16,000 bicycles, solar panels and many bike spare parts to over 6 countries in Africa. We have seen the impact of these bicycles on women, men, children and communities, giving access to education, job training or work, which would otherwise be limited by walking impossibly long distances.
I am very proud of all that Bicycles for Humanity Melbourne has achieved and I step aside from the CEO role with a great deal of excitement for the future. And I am not going far. I will support Anne as she transitions into her new role and will remain on the Board of Bicycles for Humanity Melbourne where I can still contribute to our larger social impact.
We know that through volunteering we gain so much more than we give. I have no doubt that my wellbeing has truly been supported by the beautiful people who now make up our large Bicycles for Humanity Melbourne family, both in Australia and internationally. I have learnt so much as our little organisation has slowly evolved and blossomed into what it is today.
I am truly grateful for each and every volunteer who has contributed time, energy and laughter. I am truly grateful to every single person who has donated a bike, money or expertise. I am truly grateful to my friends who have endured countless ear-bashings around every aspect of Bicycles for Humanity Melbourne. And I am truly grateful to our wonderful partners in Australia and Namibia especially for continuing to pull resources for a bigger impact. None of what we have achieved together could have been done alone.
Bicycles for Humanity Melbourne has our fourth packing day of 2024 in just under a fortnight.
After the great success of our previous packing day, we would love to see as many volunteers as possible to help prepare our bicycle donations for transport to Namibia.
Bicycles for Humanity Melbourne has our third packing day of 2024 in just under a fortnight.
After the great success of our previous packing day, we would love to see as many volunteers as possible to help prepare our bicycle donations for transport to Namibia.
Posted: 23 March 2025 by B4H Admin
Bicycles for Humanity Melbourne Volunteer Packing Day – April 2025
Bicycles for Humanity Melbourne has our third packing day of 2025 in just under a fortnight.
After the great success of our previous packing day, we would love to see as many volunteers as possible to help prepare our bicycle donations for transport to Namibia.
No experience necessary. For more info on what is involve for Volunteers on the day check this webpage: Volunteer Bicycle Packing Days Information
If you haven’t seen our new storage site yet at Toyota in Altona, now’s your chance.
We need as many hands as possible to help prepare our donated bicycles for transport to Namibia.
Both new and experienced volunteers are welcome, and no experience or skills are necessary. We will teach you what you need to know to contribute!
When: Sunday, 6th April 2025, 10am – 3pm
In case of bad weather (heavy storms/extreme heat), the day will be postponed. Don’t forget to slip, slop, slap as we will be working outside in the sun. It will probably be sunny and a bit windy, so dress appropriately. Keep an eye on the weather forecast.
Where: Our new site at Toyota Altona – 494 Grieve Parade, Altona North (enter at Gate 7)
What: Cleaning and packing of donated bicycles into the next shipping container.
How: Register your interest or attendance via email and please let us know if you have any specific BBQ dietary requirements or any questions about the day.
Note: A BBQ lunch will be provided for all volunteers on the day – please advise of any dietary requirements when registering.
Posted: 2 March 2025 by B4H Admin
Bicycles for Humanity Melbourne Volunteer Packing Day – March 2025
Bicycles for Humanity Melbourne has our second packing day of 2025 in just under a fortnight.
After the great success of our previous packing day, we would love to see as many volunteers as possible to help prepare our bicycle donations for transport to Namibia.
No experience necessary. For more info on what is involve for Volunteers on the day check this webpage: Volunteer Bicycle Packing Days Information
If you haven’t seen our new storage site yet at Toyota in Altona, now’s your chance.
We need as many hands as possible to help prepare our donated bicycles for transport to Namibia.
Both new and experienced volunteers are welcome, and no experience or skills are necessary. We will teach you what you need to know to contribute!
When: Sunday, 16th March 2025, 10am – 3pm
In case of bad weather (heavy storms/extreme heat), the day will be postponed. Don’t forget to slip, slop, slap as we will be working outside in the sun. It will probably be sunny and a bit windy, so dress appropriately. Keep an eye on the weather forecast.
Where: Our new site at Toyota Altona – 494 Grieve Parade, Altona North (enter at Gate 7)
What: Cleaning and packing of donated bicycles into the next shipping container.
How: Register your interest or attendance via email and please let us know if you have any specific BBQ dietary requirements or any questions about the day.
Note: A BBQ lunch will be provided for all volunteers on the day – please advise of any dietary requirements when registering.
Posted: 12 February 2025 by B4H Admin
Bike to Namibia Challenge – 2025
Our virtual ride to Namibia – 11,240km.
We are off to Namibia in July to visit the shops we supply and witness the difference you all make by donating money and bikes to B4Humanity Melbourne.
In order to prepare for this we have initiated a Strava challenge to see whether we can virtually ride to Namibia.
You are invited to join our Bicycles for Humanity Melbourne – Bike Riding Strava club
11,240 km is a long way
We are also planning an actual bike ride which will be open to all of you and lead by one of our amazing directors. More details to come.
Posted: 26 January 2025 by B4H Admin
Bicycles for Humanity Melbourne Volunteer Packing Day – February 2025
Bicycles for Humanity Melbourne has our first packing day of 2025 in just under a fortnight.
After the great success of our previous packing day, we would love to see as many volunteers as possible to help prepare our bicycle donations for transport to Namibia.
No experience necessary. For more info on what is involve for Volunteers on the day check this webpage: Volunteer Bicycle Packing Days Information
If you haven’t seen our new storage site yet at Toyota in Altona, now’s your chance.
We need as many hands as possible to help prepare our donated bicycles for transport to Namibia.
Both new and experienced volunteers are welcome, and no experience or skills are necessary. We will teach you what you need to know to contribute!
When: Sunday, 9th February 2025, 10am – 3pm
In case of bad weather (heavy storms/extreme heat), the day will be postponed. Don’t forget to slip, slop, slap as we will be working outside in the sun. It will probably be sunny and a bit windy, so dress appropriately. Keep an eye on the weather forecast.
Where: Our new site at Toyota Altona – 494 Grieve Parade, Altona North (enter at Gate 7)
What: Cleaning and packing of donated bicycles into the next shipping container.
How: Register your interest or attendance via email and please let us know if you have any specific BBQ dietary requirements or any questions about the day.
Note: A BBQ lunch will be provided for all volunteers on the day – please advise of any dietary requirements when registering.
Posted: 23 November 2024 by B4H Admin
Bicycles for Humanity Melbourne Volunteer Packing Day – December 2024
Bicycles for Humanity Melbourne has our final packing day of 2024 in just under a fortnight.
After the great success of our previous packing day, we would love to see as many volunteers as possible to help prepare our bicycle donations for transport to Namibia.
No experience necessary. For more info on what is involve for Volunteers on the day check this webpage: Volunteer Bicycle Packing Days Information
If you haven’t seen our new storage site yet at Toyota in Altona, now’s your chance.
We need as many hands as possible to help prepare our donated bicycles for transport to Namibia.
Both new and experienced volunteers are welcome, and no experience or skills are necessary. We will teach you what you need to know to contribute!
When: Saturday, 7h October 2024, 10am – 3pm
In case of bad weather (heavy storms/extreme heat), the day will be postponed. Don’t forget to slip, slop, slap as we will be working outside in the sun. It will probably be sunny and a bit windy, so dress appropriately. Keep an eye on the weather forecast.
Where: Our new site at Toyota Altona – 494 Grieve Parade, Altona North (enter at Gate 7)
What: Cleaning and packing of donated bicycles into the next shipping container.
How: Register your interest or attendance via email and please let us know if you have any specific BBQ dietary requirements or any questions about the day.
Note: A BBQ lunch will be provided for all volunteers on the day – please advise of any dietary requirements when registering.
Posted: 22 September 2024 by B4H Admin
Bicycles for Humanity Melbourne Volunteer Packing Day – October 2024
Bicycles for Humanity Melbourne has our fourth packing day of 2024 in just under a fortnight.
After the great success of our previous packing day, we would love to see as many volunteers as possible to help prepare our bicycle donations for transport to Namibia.
No experience necessary. For more info on what is involve for Volunteers on the day check this webpage: Volunteer Bicycle Packing Days Information
If you haven’t seen our new storage site yet at Toyota in Altona, now’s your chance.
We need as many hands as possible to help prepare our donated bicycles for transport to Namibia.
Both new and experienced volunteers are welcome, and no experience or skills are necessary. We will teach you what you need to know to contribute!
When: Sunday, 6h October 2024, 10am – 3pm
In case of bad weather (heavy storms/extreme heat), the day will be postponed. Don’t forget to slip, slop,slap as we will be working outside in the sun.
Where: Our new site at Toyota Altona – 494 Grieve Parade, Altona North (enter at Gate 7)
What: Cleaning and packing of donated bicycles into the next shipping container.
How: Register your interest or attendance via email and please let us know if you have any specific BBQ dietary requirements or any questions about the day.
Note: A BBQ lunch will be provided for all volunteers on the day – please advise of any dietary requirements when registering.
Posted: 6 August 2024 by B4H Admin
Unique Wheelchair Donation in Namibia
See some photos and video from the recipient of one of the donated wheelchairs we sent as part of our shipping containers normally full of bicycles to Namibia. The recipient of the wheelchair is very grateful and wrote us this letter:
Dear Bicycles for Humanity Melbourne,
My name is Filipppus Shigwedha from Namibia. I am hereby writing to appreciate for your generosity, for a replacement of my old and worn-out wheelchair with a brand new one.
As expensive as wheelchairs are, and as aging as I am (61), I did not know when and where I would get myself another wheelchair when my previous wheelchair worn-out. For months, if not assistance from my wife and children, I would be homebound. Surprisingly, you came to my rescue. My family and I are humbled and so grateful for your generosity. I feel so blessed to gain my independent portability back. Thank you for making my world a better place.
I am now able to get around and no longer a complete burden to my family. However, as you see in the video, our environment is so sandy. When I started using a wheelchair some years back, I was stronger and younger than now. Despite our sandy environment, pushing my wheelchair was not that much of a challenge then. Now that I am aging (61), my strength is also running out. I would humbly request, if possible, if your organization can extend the assistance to a wheelchair that at my age would be able to push or operate without assistance. That could be a wheelchair with thicker wheels or electronic wheelchair. This does not mean that I am not grateful, but rather focusing on the route of senior citizenship I am yet to conquer, in the geographical environment I live and bound in.
Once more, thank you so much for making the world a better place; giving hope to the hopeless like myself. I am verygrateful.
Yours faithfully,
Filipppus Shigwedha
NAMIBIA
Posted: 5 July 2024 by B4H Admin
New CEO of Bicycles for Humanity Melbourne
We are excited to announce Anne Chan as the new CEO of Bicycles for Humanity Melbourne.
Some parting words from the outgoing CEO Andy Finestone (Gild), who has been fundamental to the running and growth of Bicycles for Humanity Melbourne for the last 17 years.
If a bike had a windscreen I would be looking through it to a very exciting future! After a long search for the right person to take over the handle bars and steer Bicycles for Humanity (B4H) Melbourne towards our 30K30 goal, we have found Anne Chan!
We are very lucky to have Anne Chan re-join us to take over as CEO. As a previous volunteer, Anne has a deep understanding of what, how and why we do what we do. Anne helped us attain our tax deductibility status in the early years and has also spent time in Namibia, gaining hands on experience of the challenges setting up and running a bicycle workshop and associated organisation. She brings her expertise and passion at a time when we have a solid foundation on which to continue to grow. It is also very special that Anne has a connection to my wonderful co-founder, the late Matt McCullough whom we continually miss, and will be able to continue to guide his legacy forward.
It seems like yesterday, but in fact it was 2007. I was peering out the minibus window as the vast, hot and dry Namibian countryside flashed past. We were on our way to meet Hilya Ekanjo, the first female bicycle mechanic in Namibia, in the north of the country. Wanting to understand how our soon to be partner organisation, Bicycle Empowerment Network, Namibia (set up by the fabulous Michael Linke), managed to distribute pre-loved bicycles into the community by setting up shops and training locals in both business and mechanical skills.
I watched the many people walking, some carrying large loads, for what must have been 10s of kms. Little did I know that 17 years later Bicycles for Humanity Melbourne would be a fully-fledged, well established, 100% volunteer run organisation replete with a dedicated and passionate board, leadership team and deep volunteer base that has almost finished packing our 36th shipping container and have repurposed close to 16,000 bicycles, solar panels and many bike spare parts to over 6 countries in Africa. We have seen the impact of these bicycles on women, men, children and communities, giving access to education, job training or work, which would otherwise be limited by walking impossibly long distances.
I am very proud of all that Bicycles for Humanity Melbourne has achieved and I step aside from the CEO role with a great deal of excitement for the future. And I am not going far. I will support Anne as she transitions into her new role and will remain on the Board of Bicycles for Humanity Melbourne where I can still contribute to our larger social impact.
We know that through volunteering we gain so much more than we give. I have no doubt that my wellbeing has truly been supported by the beautiful people who now make up our large Bicycles for Humanity Melbourne family, both in Australia and internationally. I have learnt so much as our little organisation has slowly evolved and blossomed into what it is today.
I am truly grateful for each and every volunteer who has contributed time, energy and laughter. I am truly grateful to every single person who has donated a bike, money or expertise. I am truly grateful to my friends who have endured countless ear-bashings around every aspect of Bicycles for Humanity Melbourne. And I am truly grateful to our wonderful partners in Australia and Namibia especially for continuing to pull resources for a bigger impact. None of what we have achieved together could have been done alone.
See you on the road!
Posted: 23 June 2024 by B4H Admin
Bicycles for Humanity Melbourne Volunteer Packing Day – July 2024
Bicycles for Humanity Melbourne has our fourth packing day of 2024 in just under a fortnight.
After the great success of our previous packing day, we would love to see as many volunteers as possible to help prepare our bicycle donations for transport to Namibia.
No experience necessary. For more info on what is involve for Volunteers on the day check this webpage: Volunteer Bicycle Packing Days Information
If you haven’t seen our new storage site yet at Toyota in Altona, now’s your chance.
We need as many hands as possible to help prepare our donated bicycles for transport to Namibia.
New or experienced volunteers are both welcome.
When: Sunday, 7th July 2024, 10am – 3pm
In case of bad weather (heavy storms), the day will be postponed. Bring some warm clothes and a raincoat incase of rain.
Where: Our site at Toyota Altona – 494 Grieve Parade, Altona North (enter at Gate 7)
What: Cleaning and packing of donated bicycles into the next shipping container.
How: Register your interest Register your interest or attendance via email and please let us know if you have any specific BBQ dietary requirements.
Note: A BBQ lunch will be provided for all volunteers on the day – please advise of any dietary requirements when registering.
Posted: 18 May 2024 by B4H Admin
Bicycles for Humanity Melbourne Volunteer Packing Day – June 2024
Bicycles for Humanity Melbourne has our third packing day of 2024 in just under a fortnight.
After the great success of our previous packing day, we would love to see as many volunteers as possible to help prepare our bicycle donations for transport to Namibia.
No experience necessary. For more info on what is involve for Volunteers on the day check this webpage: Volunteer Bicycle Packing Days Information
If you haven’t seen our new storage site yet at Toyota in Altona, now’s your chance.
We need as many hands as possible to help prepare our donated bicycles for transport to Namibia.
New or experienced volunteers are both welcome.
When: Saturday, 1st June 2024, 10am – 3pm
In case of bad weather (heavy storms), the day will be postponed. Bring some warm clothes and a raincoat incase of rain.
Where: Our new site at Toyota Altona – 494 Grieve Parade, Altona North (enter at Gate 7)
What: Cleaning and packing of donated bicycles into the next shipping container.
How: Register your interest Register your interest or attendance via email and please let us know if you have any specific BBQ dietary requirements.
Note: A BBQ lunch will be provided for all volunteers on the day – please advise of any dietary requirements when registering.