Transplant champ gets bike help from Salvation Army before golds
published on 6 Aug 2025
Two days before winning two gold medals at the British Transplant Games, Team GB athlete Jenny Glithero visited The Salvation Army’s Recycles Booth House in Swindon for last-minute bike repairs. The Olympic gold medallist and liver transplant survivor praised the charity’s social enterprise bike workshop for its service and community impact.
Jenny won gold in the women’s 30-39 8km time trial and 12km road race at the games, held from 31 July to 3 August in Oxford.
Simon Styles, who leads the Swindon Recycles project, said: “It’s not every day an Olympic champion walks into our workshop! Jenny’s visit brought energy to the team. We’re honoured she trusted us with her bike at such a crucial moment—and thrilled her races ended in triumph. Her story of resilience, from surviving liver failure to standing on the podium, mirrors the determination we see in the people we support every day.”
After her visit, Jenny said: “Thanks so much for your generosity. To receive a big smile and a helping hand two days before race day—fixing my pedals—meant the world. The Salvation Army’s work is incredible: getting people on bikes, upskilling, and offering purpose in times of need. What you do matters.”
A journey of resilience
Jenny’s victory follows her near-fatal liver failure in May 2021, which left her in a coma and required an emergency transplant. Fifteen months post-surgery, she won gold at the 2023 World Transplant Games and now advocates for organ donation and post-transplant recovery.
The Salvation Army’s Swindon Recycles Booth House workshop combines practical skills training with mental health support, helping participants rebuild confidence and employment prospects.
The Recycles programme offers affordable bike sales, repairs, and servicing to the public, with proceeds reinvested into supporting participants. It provides mechanical skills training and structured mentorship, helping people gain qualifications and employment opportunities.
Beyond cycling, the initiative fosters community, purpose, and sustainability, aligning with The Salvation Army’s mission to combat poverty and social exclusion. Whether through a low-cost bike for a struggling family or training for someone rebuilding their life, Recycles proves that second chances can roll forward. To learn more about Recycles, visit their website: WELCOME - Recycles.