The fundraiser was held in one of the meeting rooms which was superbly decorated by a service user from the Lodge. Service users had 30 minutes per ward to try and pedal the furthest distance they could as a team, with prizes of an enormous cake baked by one of the service users from Knightstone Ward, with a trophy, water bottles and certificates up for grabs. The emphasis though was on everyone having fun, and even those who were unable to take part were encouraged to attend to cheer on their team.
At the same time, staff from each ward were across the room completing the same challenge on the rowing machine, with prizes of bragging rights and an engraved wooden oar at stake. This side of the challenge proved a little more competitive, with teams from Admin, Occupational Therapy, Psychology and Doctors taking part over the three days.
In the end, results for both the bike and the rower were extremely close, with Knightstone Ward just edging out Nash ward on the bike thanks to a huge effort from their team. On the rower, Psychology pipped Occupational Therapy to the post by just 226 meters.
Special thanks must go to the service users who made cakes and decorations, the catering department for their support providing refreshments, hospital manager Josh Tapp for his support (and efforts on the rower) and the team of doctors who gave it all they had in a valiant bid for victory.
Overall the event was a great success, there was smiles and sweat all round, and over £250 was raised for Comic Relief.
Thank you to all those that took part and made this an event to remember.
Our next event for the month of April is the Marathon Challenge, walking or running 26 miles in the month of April for service users and staff, to coincide with the London Marathon.