This is a sponsored article in association with Santander Cycles.
VT has been speaking to people who have used Santander Cycles in London to keep their lives moving forwards in uplifting and extraordinary fashion.
For two women, Donna and Shweea, Santander Cycles became a profound part of their remarkable friendship during the coronavirus lockdown and continue to help them maintain their incredible bond today.
Donna and Shweea - both dancers - first met 10 years ago, and their connection was instant. “I felt I could be myself 100% with this person,” Donna explained. “Once we got talking, we found out we had so much in common and felt so at ease with each other,” Shweea added.
Shweea was previously diagnosed with cancer and Donna has been helping her through her chemotherapy treatment during the pandemic by delivering meals and groceries to her. The first time she did this, she encountered a problem: "I couldn’t carry all the food!" She told VT.
Her solution? To jump on a Santander Cycle and transport the meals and groceries that way instead. "Since then I’ve been using them very frequently, not only to deliver the food and groceries but also to see friends,” Donna said.
“When Donna delivers food, she comes to my door and sits at the top of the stairs.” Shweea explained. “I can open my door and sit on the floor and we can just chat. It’s beautiful because obviously I don’t have that normal interaction at the moment.”
“Before lockdown I had never noticed how many [Santander Cycles docking stations] there were round London,” Donna noted. "It’s been really helpful for me to get to Shweea."
The pair's incredibly close friendship has strengthened even further. Donna told VT: "When your best friend is going through chemotherapy it changes a lot of things."
"We have become much closer now, I’m more like a family member I would say,” she added.
Donna and Shweea are currently discussing future projects they intend to embark upon together, something Shweea beautifully describes as "creating life to live into.”
“Shweea is just the most amazing, brave, strong, genuine person I have ever, ever come across,” Donna said. “I’m very proud of her.”
Meanwhile, to learn more about Santander Cycles, you can visit their website at https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/cycling/santander-cycles.
By simply downloading the Santander Cycles app, or going to any docking station terminal with your bank card, you can hire a Santander Cycle and return it to any docking station once you're finished.
If you are new to cycling or just want to brush up on your skills for cycling in London, you can take the free TfL online course or find tailored cycle skills training to suit you. When you complete the online course you’ll be sent a free 24 hour access code for Santander Cycles, with all 30 minute journeys included. Find out more here: https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/cycling/cycle-skills
