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RabBike540
Rab's pedal power of eight set for Norfolk roads

 
RabBike350By Keith Morris

2010: An amazing eight-man bike is set to take to the roads of Norfolk in the next few weeks, using pedal power to help raise much-needed cash for children in a Bulgarian orphanage.
 
The 21-foot bike, believed to be the longest and heaviest in the UK, is the passion of retired Great Yarmouth coastguard Rab Taylor, who has spent over 450 hours getting the impressive machine back into road-worthy condition.
 
Rab first encountered the bike, which weighs 625lbs and goes at 16mph on the flat, 25 years ago in South Wales when he used it for several fund-raising events.
 
More recently, as a member of Norwich Central Baptist Church, Rab has been involved for several years in working parties which have regularly travelled to the Burzitsa Orphanage in Bulgaria to help with vital maintenance and building work.
 
"I have used my DIY skills in painting, laying floor tiles and other building work which all make a difference to the children and the infrastructure of the orphanage," he said. "We also have fun times with sport and visits to the seaside."
 
Rab, who spent 30 years as a coastguard, following 11 years in the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm, came up with the idea of finding the eight-man bike to raise funds for the orphanage in Burzitsa and similar ones supported by Christian charity Krasifaid.
 
Rab managed to track down the bike to a shed in Llanelli, where it had been abandoned ten years ago. He persuaded the owner to give him the bike and, last March, the bike was transported to Norfolk. Rab has been working on it ever since and in October it will be ready for its first outing in over a decade.
 
"It is my prayer that the bike will raise the awareness of Krasifaid, and that the money raised will go a long way to bring comfort to the children. We are mindful at this time there are so many worthy causes around the world, and we hope that the good people of Norfolk will support our efforts and the charity."
 
If you would like to know more or to support the orphanage, contact Rab on 01493 700081.
 
 
Pictured above, Rab Taylor tests out his eight-man bike.

 


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