As first-prize winner in Dorset Wildlife Trusts’ Spring Raffle, lucky Mrs Mary O’Shea is now the proud owner of an eco-friendly Powabyke, worth in excess of £600.

Mrs O’Shea’s son-in-law David Brown collected the electrically-assisted bike on her behalf, at a ceremony which took on Wednesday 27^th September at Cycle Paths of Poole – her friendly local Powabyke dealer.

Helen Plummer, Marketing Manager for Powabyke said, "We are delighted for Mrs O'Shea that she has won one of our Powabykes.  I understand that she has been finding cycling a little hard work of late and that she lives on a hill, so we are really pleased that her Powabyke will enable her to keep on cycling!"

These electrically assisted bicycles, no larger than a conventional bike, are produced by Powabyke Ltd.  With their head office in Bath, they have a network of dealers all over the country to sell their Powabyke range and support the bikes.

They are driven by a 200w battery with a handlebar-mounted throttle, enabling the rider to regulate the amount of assistance required.  A single battery charge can service a 20 mile range, the cyclist being able to achieve 15 mph.   Needing no petrol or diesel to power them, Powabykes are environmentally-friendly.   What is more, no licence, insurance or MOT is required and it is congestion-charge free.  The battery just plugs in to any domestic socket.

Under the government’s cycle to work or ‘Salary Sacrifice’ Scheme DWT members can obtain one of these machines for up to half price by ensuring that such a scheme is set up by their employer. For more information on setting up such a scheme, see Powabyke’s easy to understand brochure which is downloadable from their website www.powabyke.com

This latest DWT raffle raised nearly £7,000 that is going towards the Trust’s vital conservation work.   Two raffles, with very attractive prizes for the winners, are run by the Trust each year.  The next one takes place this winter.

For more information about DWT Tel: 01305 264620 or for more information regarding Powabyke’s range which includes a 3-wheel Powatryke and electric scooters visit www.powabyke.com