A charity and social enterprise struggling to keep afloat after its premises were devastated by fire has launched a £10,000 crowdfunding campaign to help it get back on its feet.
The unexplained blaze broke out at Edinburgh bike recycling charity The Bike Station in the early hours of Monday October 17.
The fire completely damaged the interior of its Causewayside premises, including the shop floor, workshop and office space, and left a gaping hole in the roof.
The damage exposed asbestos, rendering the building inaccessible and meaning that months of work will be required to make it safe and operational. A large number of recycled bikes and parts were also lost in the blaze.
The mechanics are said to have worked hard to reopen the second-hand bike shop in temporary premises nearby.
But much of its other community-based work, such as build-your-own-bike courses for disadvantaged youngsters, has had to be put on hold.
The Bike Station has now launched the crowdfunding campaign to help it get fully back in action as quickly as possible.
Manager Steve Hynd said: "Without access to a functional workshop space and appropriate tools, we haven't been able to hold our twice weekly Fix Your Own Bike sessions, which are a great educational resource for the local cycling community.
"With the cold weather setting in, and people less likely to get on their bikes, winter is a quieter time for us, and the fire couldn't have come at a more inopportune time."
The charity is offering incentives to those who donate, with rewards such as bike maintenance classes and bike services.
Mr Hynd added: "Any cash donations through our Crowdfunder appeal would also be of great help. However small, even a few pounds will go a long way to helping us back on our feet."
The Edinburgh Bike Station is Scotland's largest bicycle recycling charity, taking in nearly 10,000 old and discarded bikes every year.
The entry on its Crowdfunder page says the charity is now "struggling to keep afloat after the damage done".
The appeal will run for a fortnight and can be accessed at: http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/surviving-after-fire.
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