Belong care villages pedal the pounds in

Following a gruelling 150 mile charity cycle challenge undertaken by staff of Belong care villages, residents and customers participated in a charity bike ride of their own, clocking up 338 miles collectively to raise an impressive £1582.34 for resident activities.
The fundraiser took place in the exercise studios of five Belong care villages situated across the North West in Macclesfield, Wigan, Crewe, Newcastle-under-Lyme and Warrington, all of which are equipped with specially adapted cardio and strength equipment to support the needs of older people. Staff and residents used state-of-the-art SilverFit exercise equipment as well as bike and step machines to complete the challenge.
While encouraging older people to engage in exercise, the fundraiser was initially organised to match the real-life efforts of the Belong cycle team who took part in a coast to coast challenge. Over four days, six members of staff cycled from Whitehaven in Cumbria to Tynemouth in Tyne and Wear, and their challenge included a tough climb over the Pennines to raise money for the villages’ activity funds.
Belong Lead Exercise Instructor, Barbara Tait, said: “Maintaining an active lifestyle is important at all stages of life, but many people underestimate how much exercise can benefit the wellbeing of older people. It was brilliant to see so many residents getting involved and I think I can say on behalf of all villages that a lot of fun was had!”