A PENSIONER from Weymouth has raised more than £10,000 for a local hospice charity by renovating bikes.

Danny Collins, 79, has raised the funds for Weldmar Hospicecare, a charity providing end of life care for people living in Dorset, by recycling and refurbishing bicycles.

He has been renovating bikes for three years - but this year has been his busiest due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Mr Collins, said: "It all started with Covid-19. We were all in lockdown and lots of people wanted to get out on a bike. I've never been as busy and some weeks I've been working seven days.

"I have sold everything from kids' bikes to bikes for teenagers and bikes for men and women. I've done road bikes, off-road bikes, racing bikes and even tandems and tricycles!

"One Sunday I sold seven bikes in a day and made £400."

All of the bikes Mr Collins renovates are donated to him by members of the public and every penny he earns goes straight to Weldmar Hospicecare.

He does all of the repairs at his home in Weymouth, including fixing punctures, replacing saddles, checking brakes and brake pads and giving bikes a lick of paint.

Matt Smith, director of fundraising and marketing at Weldmar Hospicecare, said: "The support that Danny has given us has been phenomenal and we are extremely grateful as his bike sales have increased over the Covid-19 period.

"The countless hours that Danny has dedicated will allow us to continue our vital end of life care, which is in greater demand than ever before.

"As our traditional ways of fundraising become even more challenging, the support from people like Danny and his clever initiative are allowing us to keep providing cares to patients and their loved ones throughout the county."

Mr Collins is grateful to everyone who has donated a bike to him. He said: "Without people giving me bikes I wouldn't have had them to do up and sell on.

He added: "If you had told me at the start of the year that I'd have raised more than £10,000 I wouldn't have believed you."

For more information on buying or donating a bike, call Mr Collins on 01305 787819.