Abney Court send-off riders on gruelling 800-mile charity bike ride

Home news

May 22, 2019

Residents and team members at Abney Court played their part in a nationwide fundraising drive as part of Care UK’s pledge to raise thousands of pounds for three important charities through an initiative called Ride 800. 

Andrew Knight, chief executive of residential care, Jacqui White, marketing director, and Tony Weedon, strategic programme director, visited 26 homes as part of an 800-mile challenge.  

Abney Court was the 16th stop on the ride, which saw the riders spend 15 days out on the road. They cycled from Poole to Aberdeen – the locations of Care UK’s most southerly and northerly homes – to raise money for the Care Workers Charity, the Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer Scotland.

The care home team put on a warm welcome for the intrepid cyclists with a balloon-drop on arrival and a hearty lunch. As well as hosting a celebratory event for the Ride 800 team and the fundraising venture, residents at the home also decorated a bicycle with a theme based on ‘Bill and Ben the Flowerpot Men’ to celebrate the keen resident gardeners at the home. 

Residents who wanted to relive old cycling memories were also given a chance to have a go on the supported cycle which is being transported around all of the 26 homes. The supported cycle allows two people to cycle side by side with only one rider having to pedal.  It proved a very popular mode of transport while it was at the homes.

Once the 800-mile ride is over, the directors will present the supported cycle to the home that they think did the best themed decorated bike. 

Commenting on the residents’ involvement in Care UK’s Ride 800 initiative, Tracy Mitchell, home manager at Abney Court said: “The residents really enjoyed thinking up ideas for decorating the old bike and then bringing those suggestions to life with our very own Bill and Ben ready to greet the cyclists.”

Andrew Knight said: “Even though all three of us have been putting in the training hours, I think it’s fair to say that the reality of such a challenge became very real very quickly, and it’s been a true test of our endurance both mentally and physically. A big motivating factor has been the inspiring efforts of the homes we are visiting and their creativity and energies in planning special fund-raising events and activities. Residents and our colleagues are well known for their warm and friendly welcomes which has been key to keeping our motivation levels high and I’d like to say thank you to everyone in the 26 homes, and our Colchester support office, for joining in with our fundraising so enthusiastically.”