A NEW Dursley-based charity, which enables people living with disabilities to get out and be active, is hoping to attract some new supporters.

A little over two years ago Alex and Kate Reeves started an initiative where people and groups donated tandem bicycles for people with learning difficulties and disabilities to use.

The idea came to the parents after they found their own daughter 14-year-old Charlotte, who has autism and severe learning difficulties, enjoyed cycling with them.

For many years Alex and Kate had taken Charlotte out for cycle rides using a tag-a-long, but in 2005 when Charlotte grew out of it they discovered a tandem bike was just as successful.

Dad Alex, 40, said: "Most people have probably seen us on our bike riding around Dursley.

"Charlotte loves it and we thought we’d tell other people about it and get them to have a go.

"It’s not just for children but adults too - anyone who lives with a disability or a special need."

Initially the couple, who have a second daughter, 12-year-old Hannah, appealed locally to get a collection of tandems, which could be loaned out to Gloucestershire families.

However, after advertising through the Tandem Club, the Autism Society and the Royal National Institute of Blind People, the scheme of loaning tandems out to people with disabilities for free has gone national and in April last year Charlotte’s Tandems became a registered charity.

Alex said: "We just thought about having two or three here in Dursley but we’ve had interest from all over the country."

As well as appealing for more donations of tandems, spare parts, and cycle clothing the charity is also looking for more volunteers to help run the scheme. At the moment there are just four trustees.

Charlotte’s Tandems is holding its first AGM at St George's Church, Upper Cam, on Saturday, March 17 (4pm) and those already involved hope to attract some new people to the meeting.

To get involved or for more information about Charlotte’s Tandems visit www.charlottestandems.weebly.com or email charlottes.tandems@gmail.com