A local man's determination to keep busy during some of the darkest days of his life has grown into a remarkable recycling project that has saved 10,000 bikes and raised more than £210,000 for charities and community causes.

Tony Sewell, who runs The Cycle Recycler in Kenilworth, a community bicycle recycling and repair shop, shared that it was initially never intended to become a major charitable project.

It was simply something practical to do at home, a way to keep busy and maintain a sense of purpose during an exceptionally difficult chapter of his life.

Tony shared that before starting the business, he was caring for his now-late mother while facing his own serious physical and mental health challenges, including PTSD, depression and anxiety, as well as heart disease, diabetes, arthritis and Morton's neuroma.

With his health deteriorating, he needed something he could do from home.

Cycling had always been a passion of Tony's and his experience working in bike shops during the late 1980s and early 1990s gave him the skills to bring neglected bicycles back to life.

So he began collecting unwanted bikes from the tip.

He cleaned them, repaired them and put them back into working order.

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After people began hearing about Tony's work he shared that instead of throwing their unwanted bicycles away, they began donating them.

One bike became several soon turned into dozens and now, The Cycle Recycler has raised over £210,000 for good causes.

Tony has now shared his goal before retirement is to be able to raise £250,000.

"I really would like to get to £250,000 before I have to retire" Tony shared.

"Over the years since 2014, we have raised over £210,000, two and a half tonnes of food for the food banks, and over 250 bikes in schools for children without access to bikes to learn to ride on or just have fun on. "

The company has also provided ingredients for Leamington-based charity, Helping Hands' Breakfast service and sent 10,000 bikes to new homes instead of landfill or scrap.

Find out more about The Cycle Recycler here.