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Villagers’ five hour Cycleathon raises over £500 for health and charity

25 January 2011

Over 40 residents, friends and staff at Milton Keynes' Lovat Fields Retirement Village took part in a massive 'cycleathon' recently riding exercise bikes set up along the Village's main street. Pedalling 279 miles during the five hour relay race, cyclists raised over £500 in funds for two local older peoples' charities.

Cyclathon Landscape

Village residents had been training for months for the event, and included in the teams were people who have suffered strokes and respiratory problems but whose health has improved by using equipment and tailored fitness programmes.

Village gym instructor, Hayley West, organised the cycleathon and pedalled 68 miles. She says: "It was tremendous, challenging, sociable and a great opportunity for people to achieve their goal. Fitness can be fun and age or frailty shouldn't be a barrier."

Sponsorship money from the event will go to Age UK and the ExtraHope Group, a group of local volunteers who are raising funds for a second retirement village in Milton Keynes, due to be opened in 2012 by The ExtraCare Charitable Trust and Milton Keynes Council.

ExtraCare's gym at Lovat Fields Village offers tailored support to help people who want to stay active in later years. To find out more phone Hayley West on 01908 351 397. gym.lovatfields@extracare.org.uk