Wheeling his way into helping others

Bryan Leach has been a keen cyclist all his life. Growing up in the Cotswolds in the U.K., he’s been building and repairing bikes for over 60 years. Through a chance meeting one day while volunteering with Bicycles for Humanity, another volunteer opportunity arose for him that piqued his interest and he hopped on the chance. 

“I just so happened to be at Spyhill landfill with Bicycles for Humanity when I saw some guy roll up in a box van and start loading bikes into the van. So I wandered over to him and lo and behold, it was Chris Poirier with Hull Services. He told me a bit of what they do, and I asked him if I could volunteer with Hull, and so after a few emails, I started volunteering – that was in November of 2019, and over five years later, here I am,” Bryan said while tinkering away with some bikes in our recreation garage. 

Coming from a working-class family, Bryan’s family didn’t have much expendable cash, and so if you wanted to explore the area, go visit friends from school that lived in another village, the mode of transport was a bicycle. And from a young age, the bicycle symbolized freedom to Bryan. 

“You got on your bike and off you went exploring the area and disappear for the weekend.” 

Since moving to Canada in 1982, Bryan has done many of the great rides throughout the Canadian Rockies, and when he goes back to the U.K, his sister-in-law keeps his touring bike in safe keeping so he can explore the countryside. In fact, 15 years ago, he completed a 15-day circular tour of England – some 873 miles!

At the time, the move to Canada was daunting, but in the 43 years Bryan and his family have lived here, they’ve graciously experienced many opportunities for their family to grow. Because of this, Bryan feels a debt of gratitude to be paid back.

For many, the idea of volunteering for a worthwhile cause may seem challenging, given how precious time and energy can seem these days. But the benefits volunteering brings to the greater community are immense. 

For Bryan to be able to pair his love of cycling with volunteering and helping fix bikes for the kids on our campus means a great deal to him. Not only does this help him feel connected to the community, but working with the bikes keeps Bryan’s mind and body sharp while he eagerly waits for warmer weather so he can hop back on his bike. 

Volunteering on campus one to two days a week, Bryan feels fortunate for the relationship he has with both Poirier and Stacey Manolescu, our Recreation Programmer , and for the impact his time and effort has.

“As much as what you put in, it comes back to you.”

We know the importance and healing power of play that recreation has on both our physical and mental health. For the kids at Hull, pedalling a bike and getting time outside helps them in their healing journey and learn regulating skills. 

Through Bryan’s work with Poirier in 2024, over 140 bikes were given to underprivileged kids on campus and around the community.  

“In the summer when I see a group of kids hopping on their bikes, I look at the expressions written on their faces and I think back to when I was their age and what it meant to me to be on a bike.