Wiltshire care home residents cycle 4,000 miles in a month to raise money to revamp lounge

Staff at a care home in Wiltshire have cycled 4,000 miles on an exercise bike in one month to raise funds to refurbish the residents' lounge.

During the 31 days in March, the staff from Brendoncare Froxfield cycled the equivalent distance of Froxfield to Fargo in the United States while raising over £1300.

The team cycled an average of 129 miles per day between them. They pedalled through lunch breaks, before and after hours, on their non-working days and even attached their keyboards to the bike with elastic bands to do their admin tasks.

They were cheered on and supported by the nursing home residents whilst they turned the pedals thousands of times to reach their goal.

Laura Brown, activities coordinator, said: “What a challenge! What a team! We did it, our amazing team here at Froxfield all pedalled through. It was hard going but the support from everyone was awesome and what an achievement. To see the residents' faces when we make over the lounge for them all to enjoy will be priceless. It will just go to prove it was all worth it in the end.

“Thank you to everyone who has supported us and donated to our challenge. We are absolutely delighted to have raised £1300 towards the refurbishment of our lounge space. The residents are already deciding on designs and colours for the new furnishings and curtains, they are really excited.

“We will now take a rest and look forward to taking on another challenge soon.”

The challenge raised funds for a homely refurbishment of the lounge space at the care home for residents. The lounge is the heart of the home and they wanted to make it extra cosy by installing a bigger television, homely furnishings, new curtains and an electric log burner.

Rachel Smith, housekeeper, said: “This challenge was very hard work. It was worth giving up my own time for our residents to have a new look lounge; I can’t wait to see the smiles on their faces!”

Care home resident, Iris Cooper added: “They all kept on going, all of them having a go. I really enjoyed watching and cheering them on.”

click here for more details or to contact Brendoncare Foundation