Olympian Colin Jackson backs care home Get Set Cycle challenge

World Champion and Olympic silver medallist Colin Jackson is calling on the nation to help cycle the circumference of the Earth, equivalent to 24,901 miles.

The Get Set Cycle challenge launched by Anchor initially saw residents take part in a national virtual cycling challenge during lockdown where they reached their target of cycling 2,102 miles across the summer, the same distance as the Tour de France and now Anchor Hanover wants to keep up positive fitness habits, whilst uniting people through a shared passion following a year of social restrictions.

Colin Jackson is now supporting Anchor Hanover’s ambition to get everybody moving and achieve the goal of cycling the 24,901 miles.

Mr Jackson said: “During the pandemic, many of us embraced fitness more than ever before and it’s important that we continue to stay active. As an ex-Olympian, I can vouch for the benefits of exercise! I’m thrilled to be supporting Anchor Hanover’s Get Set Cycle challenge and clocking up my own miles over the summer and I look forward to seeing people of all ages and all abilities, across the country getting involved.

“It’s truly inspiring to see people coming together to achieve a shared goal, especially after a challenging year. I think Get Set, Cycle is a brilliant way to remind ourselves of the power of community.”

'We see the transformative power staying active has on our residents’ wellbeing'

According to research by Anchor Hanover, it found a third (32 per cent) of the nation are exercising more since the pandemic began, with 67 per cent of older people having either maintained or increased their levels of exercise since March 2020.

It also found that over half of older people said it helped them to stay physically healthy and improve their mental health, with 44 per cent saying it gave them a sense of purpose and fulfilment.

However, one in five of the nation (21 per cent) said they are already exercising less since restrictions started lifting.

Jane Ashcroft chief executive of Anchor Hanover said: “Across our services, we see the transformative power staying active has on our residents’ wellbeing and sense of fulfilment. Regardless of their previous experience, or the mobility challenges for some in later life, residents have embraced specialist technology enabling them to cycle, and this has inspired the Get Set, Cycle challenge. It’s a fun way to keep up good fitness habits and bring people together, following what has been a challenging year for all.

“We’re calling on people across the country to get involved and help us cycle the circumference of the Earth and log their miles, cycling or walking, using #GetSetCycle.”

During lockdown, Anchor Hanover used a virtual cycling platform called Memoride. The technology uses Google Maps to project images of towns or paths onto a screen, allowing residents to stay active while taking virtual trips to places familiar from their past.

Residents and colleagues will be cycling as many miles as possible, physically or virtually, by using this technology.

The public can join the Get Set, Cycle challenge by posting the number of miles they’ve cycled on social media, using the #GetSetCycle hashtag.

Find out more about the challenge and how to get involved at anchorhanover.org.uk/getsetcycle

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