MUMS in the area call Martin McMillan the Pied Piper of the Gorbals. As soon as school's out, they know exactly where to find their kids.

That would be outside the Dan Flynn bike repair shop at Commercial Court near the Adelphi Centre.

Since the shop, run by Martin, opened in the spring it has been a magnet for the youngsters.

It was helped by a grant of £4500 from the Gannett Foundation, a charity run by the Evening Times' parent company.

Now we need you to tell us why your group deserves a grant as the foundation rolls out the next round of funding.

The place locals call Byker Grove after the kids TV show has certainly felt the benefits from the grant funding.

"Since Martin came here, no kids walk: they just cycle everywhere," says 47-year-old Helen Goldfarb, as her nine-year-old daughter Amy and her granddaughter Kasay Turnbull, 3, tear around the block. "I even bought a bike from Martin and we've all had so much fun.

"We've been down the cycle run to the Green about a dozen times with all the kids.

"And as soon as something goes wrong with a bike, Martin fixes it and they are back out right away. That's all they do now... play on bikes."

Many parents' budgets can't stretch to new bikes costing more than £100. But Martin is selling reconditioned bikes for between £5 and £30 - and he's already sold around 100.

"The Gannett grant has made all the difference to us," says Moyra Lindsay, 44, project manager of Gorbals Recycles, which runs the cycle workshop and charity shop Number Ten next door.

"It means we have been able to offer free bike repairs to all the children.

"Their parents might not be able to afford to maintain the bikes, but the Gannett grant has helped make them all look healthier and happier.

"They come and see Martin in the workshop every day anyway. He'll chase them and they come into the charity shop and play if it's raining."

So far, he has carried out about 300 repairs, the majority of which were free of charge.

"It's amazing," says Moyra, "it's got the kids active and it's brought them together with a common interest. These are kids aged from four or five to 12 or 13 who were sitting at home a lot of the time."

On sunnier days, Martin works outside and the kids gather round while he shows them how to repair a puncture. When the van arrives with more bikes, they rush to help bring them in.

"Some kids can't afford a bike but now they're on them all the time," says Janice McFadden, 49, as her four-year-old grandson Nathan Steele whizzes past.

"Martin talks the kids' language and he teaches them things and they all listen."

"It's the best thing that's happened for them," nods Helen. "They're all good weans, but there's nothing else down here for them, nothing."

"The kids are constantly buzzing about," says Martin, 41. "Any of the kids who are willing to learn, I give them a few pointers."

Martin is a great role model for the local youngsters and already one or two are keen to follow in his footsteps, including 15-year-old Thomas Smith, whose mum Priscilla, 51, says he's crazy about bikes.

"He was always tinkering about with them and stripping them down and putting them back together again.

"So when his school, Shawlands Academy, suggested he do a work placement on a building site, Thomas said he would rather work for Martin and that's what happened.

"He was so keen that he wanted to cancel his summer holiday in Spain - he said he would rather be here."

"I'm always fixing my pals' bikes," says Thomas, "and I want to work in a bike shop. I came here every day in the holidays and after school."

Martin has also been obsessed with bikes since he was a lad. He was brought up in the South Side but his bike gave him the freedom to explore the countryside and he likes to call his bikes "freedom machines".

He gets a real sense of job satisfaction.

"Apart from the knowledge that he has saved all these bikes from going to landfill, he also gets to see the benefits first hand.

"I've even set up a bike for a disabled chap who is completely paralysed down the left side so that everything is mobile from the right side. He is over the moon," says Martin.

"I don't know how many times we have been moved to tears," says Moyra. "We do not have a single bit of graffiti on our building. The only problem we've got is that people keep handing us in biscuits and cakes and we're going to put on weight."

Gorbals Recycles, she says, has something for every age group and the charity shop, which helps fund the cycle shop, has become a local meeting place.

Martin says he is "quietly pleased" with his work in a job he loves.

"I'm just a bit miffed that I haven't been asked to one of their picnics on the Green," he grinned. "It's disconcerting to see them going off and I'm stuck here, but I'm happy they're mobile."

lGorbals Recycles is looking for volunteers, bikes and donations. If you can help call them on 0141 429 2404 or 0141 429 1466 or e-mail: gorbalsrecycles@yahoo.co.uk

---

How to apply for a grant . . .

FIND out if a Gannett Foundation grant can help your group.

The foundation, the charitable arm of Gannett, which owns Newsquest Media Group, the publisher of the Evening Times, provides grants of up to £50,000 to support organisations that are also registered charities.

The scheme is aimed at projects of lasting benefit such as adapted mini buses for the elderly or disabled. Sport, environment and local history projects will also be considered.

Applications must be submitted before October 24 on an official form, which can be obtained by e-mailing liz.mulgrew@eveningtimes.co.uk or calling 0141 302 6505.

Grants do not cover salaries, training costs, publicity funding or general running costs.