St Albans City Hospital nurse Jane O’Connor is the first delighted winner of a bicycle restored and donated by a partnership between rail operator Thameslink, St Albans City & District Council and St Albans Cycle Campaign. Jane received her bike at a presentation at the City station attended by St Albans MP Daisy Cooper.
Thameslink has donated six bikes abandoned and unclaimed at railway stations across its network. With advice from STACC, the Council commissioned cycle-repair specialists Cycle Tech Hertfordshire to restore the bikes to a safe, roadworthy condition. All the renovation work has been funded by STACC.
SADC arranged with West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust to organise a prize draw for the bikes among its staff. Jane is the first winner, and further draws will pick five colleagues.
Jane said: “I’m looking forward to cycling to work. Cycling has so many benefits, including mental, physical health and well-being. It also has environmental benefits, plus there is the pleasure of riding a bike.”

From left: Rona Wightman (STACC secretary), Jacqui Taylor (SADC Councillor for St Peters ward), Jane O’Connor, Daisy Cooper MP and Thameslink MD Tom Moran