LOCALS URGED TO GET ON THEIR BIKES
Staff and patients at the Priestly Unit, Dewsbury and District Hospital are asking local residents "are you up for the mountain bike challenge?"
Staff at the Priestly Unit, Dewsbury and District Hospital, have organised a fun bike ride to take place on Saturday 13th September in order to raise money to transform a dull and lifeless courtyard into a therapeutic garden for patients with dementia. The project will enable patients to use the courtyard for therapeutic activities, provide an alternative visiting area and improve the patient’s day-to-day experiences.
Nicola Plastow, senior occupational therapist at the Priestly Unit, who has organised the event says, ‘the mountain bike challenge promises to be a fun and challenging ride for cyclists of all ages and abilities. It’s going to be a great day out and I’d encourage everybody to come along. The money raised will go towards developing a beautiful garden specially for people with dementia. The garden is seen as a way of providing innovative care and improving services for patients and their carers.’
The mountain bike challenge is being held in collaboration with the Mirfield Round Table and is sponsored by local businesses beerinabox.com and Sowerby Brother’s bike shop. It will consist of a 25-mile bike ride passing over testing terrain and some of Calderdale’s best bridleways, quiet roads and tracks, providing a personal challenge for all participants.
The bike ride begins at 10am on Saturday 13th September, starting and finishing at Sowerby Brother’s bike shop. A small entrance fee is required, which will be donated to the therapeutic garden project and every participant will receive a free commemorative T-Shirt in recognition of their individual achievement.
If you are interested in taking part you can contact Nicola Plastow by telephone on 01924 512000 ext 5288 or e-mail her at nicola.plastow@dhc-tr.northy.nhs.uk for an entry form or for more information. Alternatively, everybody is welcome to come along on the day to take part or to come and lend their support.