Inspired in part by the memory of his Palestinian grandfather, an Ottawa student has helped raise more than $40,000 for a charity that distributes bicycles in Africa.

Mahmoud Abuwasel, a Rockcliffe resident and his classmates at Harvard University donated the money to the World Bicycle Relief, an organization that provides bicycles to farmers, students, entrepreneurs and health care workers in remote areas of Africa.

WBR is unique in that it does not provide money or food for individuals. Instead it gives people bicycles, says Mahmoud Abuwasel.