Pedal power for stroke ward staff and patients

Staff and patients on West Raynham stroke ward at Queen Elizabeth Hospital are taking part in a virtual Land's End to John O'Groats cycling challenge, aiming to complete 979 miles and raise £10,000 to fund an aphasia library; they have completed 110 miles so far.

Staff and patients on the West Raynham stroke ward at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn are taking part in a virtual cycling challenge that covers the equivalent of Land's End to John O'Groats. The team is using a newly funded adaptive exercise bike to record a collective target of 979 miles. The bike was purchased with money raised during a 57‑mile sponsored hike along the Norfolk coast and is already being used in rehabilitation. The ward plans to use funds raised through the challenge to create a specialist aphasia library for people recovering from stroke. Key details: - The collective target for the challenge is 979 miles, and the team has completed 110 miles so far. - The ward aims to raise £10,000 through sponsorship to buy materials for an aphasia library. - The adaptive exercise bike was funded by a previous sponsored 57‑mile hike and is now in use on the ward. - The bike is suitable for both ambulatory and wheelchair users and is used to help increase mobility and limb flexibility. - Staff, patients and the hospital's charity are involved in the appeal and in running the virtual challenge. Summary: The adaptive bike is being put to use in physiotherapy to motivate patients and support arm and leg movement while they take part in the long-distance challenge. Funds raised will be used to set up a dedicated aphasia reading space with materials suited to different levels of ability to support speech, language and cognitive recovery. The ward will continue the virtual cycling challenge as it works toward the 979‑mile target and its fundraising goal.