Spin city for Cardiff man

A Cardiff man paying back for a crime he committed has taken part in a ‘spinathon’ to raise awareness of a local hospice’s fundraising campaign.

Otis Williams, who is being supervised by Wales Community Rehabilitation Company (CRC) as part of his Community Order, hopped onto the spinning bike at City Hospice’s charity shop.

Otis is currently undertaking an individual placement at the shop, as part of the CRC’s Community Payback scheme, where he sorts clothes that have been donated, prepares them for sale and supports customers who attend the shop.

City Hospice, formerly George Thomas Hospice, provides specialist palliative care for patients with life limiting illnesses in their homes as well as offering counselling (adults and children), welfare benefits advice and day centre activities.

The charity is offering free charity places at this year’s Wales Velothon, taking place on Sunday 8th July.

Lacey Meredith, Community Payback Manager at Wales CRC, said: “We’re very proud to support City Hospice. They offer us a path to help our service users pay back for the crimes they have committed, providing a structured workplace environment and ensuring positive outcomes are achieved.”

Wales CRC has been working with City Hospice since 2017, providing individual placements on the Community Payback scheme.

Rob John, Retail Operations Manager for the charity, thinks the initiative and partnership is a positive one. “Otis has been with us for nine months and has made a big difference. He’s been a great help to the staff and volunteers and we’re pleased to know that we’re helping him to gain the necessary skills he needs.”