ABOUT 150 people have helped to raise more than $30,000 for the community program Traction.
The organisation held its annual Canapes in the Shed event in Capalaba last week.
Last year Traction supported 135 students from seven Brisbane schools to restore, repurpose or customise bicycles, small engines and motorbikes.
Traction founder Sandy Murdoch said the fundraising effort would allow the organisation to expand its reach with the opening of new workshops.
“Donors displayed extreme generosity towards the program through more than $30,000 raised,” he said.
“All guests demonstrated a real desire to help the students, almost doubling last year’s fundraising result of $18,000.”
Mr Murdoch said their goal was to provide 288 places through the Traction program next year at three workshops located in Capalaba, Moorooka and West End.
“We’ll also be kicking off some exciting affiliate partnerships that will see the Traction program introduced to new communities and even more young people in need participating,” he said.
Mr Murdoch said students reported multi-faceted benefits from the program.
“The schools we serve are delighted that attendance rates and results are continuing to improve,” he said.
“The young people who are participating in the program are showing pride in what they have learnt which is a real indication of focus, respect and teamwork.
“Some are securing work experience opportunities and entering into apprenticeships that provide future career pathways,” he said.
The organisation also benefited recently from a donation of more than $10,000 as part of the 99 Bikes’ Earning to Give program.
The program sees each staff member from the bicycle shop donating one per cent of their wage to a charity of their choice.
Traction received $10,912 in donations leading to the purchase of 84 new bicycles.
Mr Murdoch said the organisation was one of four charities selected as beneficiaries.
Traction and 99 Bikes are in discussions about offering selected Traction students work experience in the bicycle stores and training through its academy.
For more information on Traction visit their website traction.community.