A positive cycle: how an eighth grader is changing kids lives through biking

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WLNE) — Monsignor Clarke School eighth grader William Wray is dedicating his free time to giving back through his love for biking.

William has been enjoying biking at the Peace Dale Ramp Room in South Kingstown for some time now and when it came time to decide on his eighth grade service project, he paired his love for biking with giving back.

“William approached me about doing his eighth-grade project to collect bikes and fix them up and find kids who cannot afford bikes or don’t have bikes,” Owner Casey Charkowick said. “He wants to give them bikes because he wanted to share his love of biking with as many people as possible.”

Wray collected gently used bikes and while using the space at the Peace Dale Ramp Room, he fixed the bikes and made them safe for use.

This is a picture of Wray working on one of the bikes he donated to a child in need. (Melissa Wray)

Wray then takes these bikes and gives them out around the state to those in need, whether at a playground or for kids coming into the ramp room.

A total of 26 bikes have already been donated.

William said he wants to continue this project by passing it down to his younger siblings so more children across Rhode Island can receive the gift of a new bike.