POLICE have helped to make this time of year brighter for families feeling the pinch.

Bolton officers have donated four bicycles and a toddler’s police car to Heartlift, a Breightmet charity, to be given to families.

The bikes came to the police after being found by members of the public. Some have also been stolen and the owners never traced. Officers gave the bikes to Bolton Alternative Trans-port Bike Recycling Project in Knowsley Street, who restored them free of charge.

PC Paul Griffiths, who handed over the bikes from Bolton police, said: “I was aware the police have loads of bikes and with the authority of Ch Supt David Hull to donate them, we gave them to Bolton Alternative Transport Bike Recycling Project to restore.

“I knew Heartlift looks after kids from deprived backgrounds and I knew they were going to get used.

“Donating bikes helps change the perception of the police as some people think police are bad.

“It improves that percep-tion.”

And Heartlift, which supports people in need, said they would be giving the bikes to the families which needed them most.

Andrea Wood, founder of Heartlift, said: “Working with the police is great as some children have only seen the police locking their dad up.

“We will be having a meeting to decide where the bikes will go.

“A couple will be given as presents to children from their parents.

“It’s hard for parents as much as it is for kids.”

Heartlift, in Greenroyd Avenue, Breightmet, aims to develop children and families through activities and education.

It also signposts people to authorities to get help gaining employment, learn about healthy living and other services.

George Slupski, a property officer for Bolton police, said the force receives hundreds of bicycles each year, most of which have been found.

He added unclaimed bikes are eventually sold at auction, scrapped or given to charity. He said the force gave the bikes that were the best quality to Heartlift.