Care home's veterans in lockdown raise COVID-19 funds with virtual 874 mile cycle

War veterans at Royal Star & Garter - High Wycombe care home have finished a virtual cycle from Lands’ End to John O’Groats after peddling 874 miles in 14 days to raise funds for 'significant' COVID-19 costs.

The care home, like others across the country, has been in lockdown since March but staff designed a keep fit challenge for residents which saw them pedal 874 miles alongside staff on static bikes to raise money for the Royal Star & Garter charity.

The charity provides care to war veterans and their partners living with disability or dementia at its care homes in Solihull, Surbiton and High Wycombe.

With staff also involved in the challenge, the residents raised £555 to date (15 July) on its JustGiving appeal set up by Royal Star & Garter- High Wycombe.

‘This is still far from over’

The care home stated on its JustGiving page: ‘We are facing significant additional costs to meet the fight against COVID-19. Our staffing levels have increased to maintain our exceptional levels of care and we have already spent over £100,000 on personal protective equipment (PPE) and new technology.

'This is still far from over and we have a long road ahead before we can return to any form of normal life. Despite this our commitment and courage to do everything we can to keep our staff and residents safe remains absolute.'

During the virtual Tour of Britain, the cyclists wore face masks and observed social distancing guidelines.

Home Manager Chelle Daly said the High Wycombe care home has remained COVID-19 free with high standards of infection control, access to regular testing and the use of PPE to keep residents safe.

101-year-old Ena 'had a lot of fun'

The pedalling began on 22 June, with residents cycling in 15-minute sessions. Their progress was tracked on a map as they made their way across the country.

Among those who took part in the virtual cycle was 101-year-old Ena, whose husband was killed in action in Belgium in 1944.

She and fellow resident John led the challenge and liked to compete against each other to see who could cycle the furthest each day.

The 101-year-old began and completed the cycle ride but did not appear at all tired from as she reached the finish line. Ena said: “We had a lot of fun cycling and taking part in all the other activities. Staff always think up clever ways to keep us active in body and mind.”

The care home’s lead physiotherapist Maddie Venkatesh said: “The High Wycombe Tour of Great Britain was great fun and exactly what residents and staff needed after a challenging few months.

“Physiotherapy is very popular in the home, whether it’s one-to-one exercise sessions on the static bikes, parallel bars, block of stairs and the treadmill, or group activities such as music to movement, Tai Chi and aerobics.”

Eccles cakes and Lancashire hotpot

Residents also enjoyed delicacies from the areas they virtually cycled through including Cornish pasties, Devonshire cream teas, Somerset cider, Eccles cakes and Lancashire hotpots. Residents also took part in quizzes about the regions they pedalled through.

If you would like to help the charity reach their £874 fundraising goal, visit the JustGiving page

click here for more details or to contact Royal Star & Garter - High Wycombe