Care professionals cycle for Care Workers Charity bike ride

A group of up to 40 cyclists, made up of people working in the care sector, are taking part in a 78 mile cycle ride in a bid to raise £30,000 for the Care Workers Charity.

The CWC Cycle Challenge takes place on 28 September, starting in Rugby and ending in Oxford. The cyclists will start at Anya Court Care Home run by Hallmark Care Homes.

Their first stop will be Arden House Care Home run by Greensleeves Care, they will then cycle to Scholars Mews Care Home run by Avery Healthcare followed by Newland House run by Hartford Care. The ride will finish at Cumnor Hill House run by Berkley Care Group.

Andrew Bennett, marketing manager at carehome.co.uk, who is taking part in the fundraising cycle ride, said: “Davina Ludlow told me about the ride and asked if I would be interested in getting involved. She is a Trustee of the Care Workers Charity so I knew quite a bit about the services they provide. It’s a super charity with a great team behind it and I was excited to be involved.

“Although I used to ride a lot more a few years ago, cycling now only features as my commute to work so I’m not underestimating how tough the ride will be.”

He added: “Having only been with carehome.co.uk for the last four or five months I am looking forward to visiting the care homes on route. The highlight for me though will be meeting the residents and the amazing care workers that dedicate so much of their time and energy to looking after them.”

All the care homes that are on the cycle route will have a static bike in reception so that residents, relatives and staff can match the 78 miles from the home.

Alex Ramamurthy, chief executive of Care Workers Charity, said: "This is our first fundraiser, something we would like to become an annual event.

"It’s going to be challenging, especially for me, but a great opportunity to meet new people, discuss new ways of working together to benefit the sector, and of course raise some much-needed funds for the charity. Our goal is £30k, and we’re going to push hard for it."

There are around two million care workers in the UK caring for some of the most vulnerable people in society. Care work involves early starts, long hours and can be physically and emotionally demanding and when that is coupled with an injury or an illness, people can go into a downward spiral both financially and mentally.

The Care Workers Charity, formerly the Care Professionals Benevolent Fund, was set up back in 2009 to give help to some of these care workers.

The event is being sponsored by carehome.co.uk, Oomph!, Apetito and CarterSchwartz.

If you would like to sponsor Andrew and help support the valuable work the CWC does, go to www.thecareworkerscharity.org.uk/fundraisers/andrews-cwc-cycle-challenge-