Nine students at Nongprue’s Wat Nongketyai School became the latest kids to be given new bicycles through the Pattaya Sports Club’s Bike for Tykes program.
PSC President Pratheep S. Malhotra, club member Rick Bevington and Sorapan Chawalitnititham of Chor Namchai Bicycles handed out the bikes to the grade 4-9 students Feb. 14.
Bevington launched the Bikes for Tykes campaign 18 years ago, growing from three bicycles to 30 given away each year. To date, the program has put smiles on the faces of more than 400 youngsters.
This year, the program has handed out 27 of its 30 bicycles, all of them going to good, well-behaved students from needy families. Before receiving their bikes, many had to pay to take baht buses to school, or walk.
All the bicycles come with a bell and a helmet for the rider. Sorapan gave the young drivers some tips on safety and maintenance before they hopped on and gave their new bikes a test ride.
The donations were made possible by 35,000-baht in contributions from the sports club and 50,000 from Namchai Bikes, which sold them at a deeply discounted price.
Teachers Pitchaya Lao and Rungarun Sangsawang said thanks to the PSC members, and the students showed their appreciation with a Ramayana and Hanuman stage show featuring students Arisara Samongdee and Thanawat Kemthong.
Despite the donation, Wat Nongketyai teachers noted the school still lacks books and other learning materials, particularly for the library. They urged anyone with books – new or used – to donate them. Call 083-141-4663 for more information.
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