Barking & Dagenham homeless receive Christmas Cheer
Muhammad Talha
Bookbike London Team Captain Emdad Rahman is celebrating after reaching the milestone of sharing 5000 free books.
The humble project started with a donated cycle with a book donated by his Dad and a bike from an anonymous cyclist from the South Coast.
It was launched by local resident Emdad at the Barking Learning Centre, hosted by Zoinul Abidin, Barking & Dagenham Head of Universal Services,
Since then Emdad has enjoyed success and now pedals outside the Borough to visit neighbours in Redbridge, Newham, Tower Hamlets, Southwark, Hackney.
Supporters include First Citizen and Mayor, Councillor Elizabeth Kangethe, pupils and staff at Manor Junior School, Only a Pavement Away and the London Enterprise Academy.
Emdad reached the 5000 book festive milestone well before Christmas Day after receiving a box full of books from the London Enterprise Academy.
Bookbike London involves Emdad cycling to collect and share books with residents who are isolated, lonely and facing hardship. Emdad also shares books with care homes and schools. Due to Covid Emdad expanded to include food, toys, clothes and medicine as part of his visits.
The simple concept has seen Emdad feature on the Russell Howard Hour and be named as an England Lionheart alongside the late Sir Captain Tom Moore.
London Enterprise Academy Principal Ashid Ali commented. “We are very pleased to support Bookbike London throughout lockdown with books, food parcels and toys. We will continue to assist with such a vital free service.”
Speaking after reaching the milestone Emdad said, “When I launched at the Barking Learning Centre I had no idea of the impact Bookbike London would have, the engagement it would accomplish and the goodwill it would attract.
“I found the use of a simple cycle to deliver a book, food parcel, clothes and medicine helped a great deal with mental and physical health wellbeing, both equally for me, as well as the recipients I made doorstep visits to.”
The Reading Agency has reported that the nation was reading more during lockdown with 1 in 3 adults reading more, rising to almost one in two (45%) 18-24 year olds.
A National Literacy Trust survey found three in five children said reading made them feel better during lockdown, while 32% said reading helped them when they felt sad about not being able to see friends or family.
Emdad found sharing a book with isolated and lonely people with little or no internet connection to be even more vital with many who he connected with describing a book as a “lifesaver” during very dark times.
Emdad say’s the community have come out with open arms and he hasn’t spent a penny from his own pocket for a cycle, maintenance, books, equipment. East End Cycles have also become his sponsor too.
The latest batch of books have been shared with residents at a local homeless hostel in Barking as well as rough sleepers in the town centre.
Emdad has dedicated this achievement to his late Father, who donated the very first book and to friends, family, random strangers for tremendous backing.
“I had a lady drive all the way from Scotland, drop a bag of books and drive straight back,” he added. “She had spent the night driving down to London after messaging me – That was surreal!”
Emdad can be contact on Twitter @emdad07