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New bikes go to kids who need them in Nanaimo

United Way presents bicycles on behalf of Louis Garneau Sports
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PPatrick Burnham of Coal City Cycles, a Louis Garneau retailer, presents Sarah Foster of Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Vancouver Island with bicycles that will be donated to deserving children on behalf of United Way. COAL CITY CYCLES PHOTO/submitted

A brand-new bike under the Christmas tree was on the wish list of a lot of children, and it happened for at least half a dozen kids in Nanaimo.

Louis Garneau Sports, through the United Way Central and Northern Vancouver Island, donated 18 bikes to pre-school age children across Canada, with Nanaimo receiving a third of that donation.

According to a United Way press release, Quebec-based Louis Garneau Sports donated half the money from its online sales to the cause on Nov. 28, Giving Tuesday.

“Nearly one in four young children in Nanaimo lives in poverty, and this generous donation offers hope and happiness during a challenging time of year,” said Signy Madden, executive director of United Way Central and North Vancouver Island, in a press release.

The bicycles will go to children in Nanaimo who access services at either Tillicum Lelum or the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Vancouver Island.

“It breaks my heart to hear that some parents cannot give their children what they truly desire and we decided to do what we could so that at least some children will receive a great bike for Christmas and be able to live their dream,” said Louis Garneau, president and founder of the cycling apparel and bike manufacturing company, in the press release.