A care home chef is cooking up a gruelling cycling challenge as a way to raise cash for a dementia charity.
Lisa Whelan, 34, who works at Hillbury House, at Pendine Park care organisation, will be taking part in the Manchester to Blackpool Bike Ride, on July 12 in aid of Dementia UK.
The cycling event organised by cancer charity Christies was attended by over 7,000 cyclists last year – who raised funds for a variety of good causes.
The 60 mile route starts at Manchester United’s Football Ground at Old Trafford going along country lanes to the finish on the South Promenade in Blackpool.
Lisa said: “I’m really excited about it. I’ve been doing a little bit of training. I just want to finish it in one piece to be honest.
“This is my first time doing it, but my partner Kim did it in around four hours last year so I’m aiming to get a similar time. The does the bike rise every year. You could say I was inspired to do it by her. We’re going to be doing it together this time. I’m aiming to raise £1,000 for Dementia UK.”
Dementia UK is a national charity, committed to improving quality of life for all people affected by dementia.
It provides Admiral Nurses – specialist dementia nurses who give expert, practical and emotional care and support for family carers, as well as the person with dementia.
It also runs a national helpline and email service Admiral Nursing DIRECT, which is for family and professional carers, people with dementia and those worried about their memory.
Lisa added: “It’s a cause that has become close to my heart since I started working at Pendine Park and I feel that it’s a cause that deserves more recognition. I feel like my eyes have been opened. I never knew how hard it was. It really is 24/7. It’s very important that people get the care they deserve and I feel they do get it here at Pendine Park.
“I’ve worked at Pendine Park for a year now and I used to work in restaurants before. I worked in the Plough in Llandegla and the Moors in Bwlchgwyn. I was head chef in those places before I started working at Pendine Park.
“I love working here to bits. Everyone here just seems happy. I love the fact that you see all of the residents smiling. I enjoy cooking with them in the week.
“The residents love taking part in cooking activities. They love getting involved, doing things like peeling carrots and potatoes. I think they like it because it’s interactive because we all do it together and have a laugh.
“It’s very important for them to have the opportunity to be active. It makes them feel happy. That’s something they do a lot of at Pendine Park. It’s part of the enrichment programme. The residents get the change to be involved in all sorts of things, from art, to music.
“I think the nurses and the care workers here at Hillbury do a really good job and I think Cindy the manager is fantastic.”
Manager Cindy Clutton said: “I am very impressed that Lisa is taking on this challenge and she is doing it in aid of a very deserving charity.”
For more information about Dementia UK visit www.dementiauk.org and for more information about Pendine Park visit www.pendinepark.com.
