Tour de Barchester -  local care home workers take on charity cycling challenge

Cumberland Grange Care Home in Pinhoe was delighted to have been chosen as this starting point for this year’s Tour de Barchester. For the second year running, staff from Barchester Healthcare’s care homes and hospitals took on a gruelling cycling challenge this time from Exeter to Eastbourne and then on to Purley.  Their aim was to raise money for Barchester’s Charitable Foundation which supports older people and other adults living with a disability or mental health problems by helping them to connect or re-connect with others in their local communities.

Over four days, from June 6th- 9th, a team of Barchester staff cycled a mammoth 276 miles from Exeter to Purley, stopping at 15 care homes across Barchester’s South division to meet well-wishers, have a well-earned break and refuel before continuing on their way.

Residents, staff and family members gathered early Tuesday morning at Cumberland Grange to ensure that our cyclists were given a fantastic send off, fuelled on by a healthy breakfast buffet for all. Included in the starting peloton were our very own Head of Maintenance, Bob Summerfield and Chef, Chris Kendall who joined the team on the first leg of their journey down to Exmouth.

Marc Chudley, General Manager at Cumberland Grange, said: “It was a wonderful sight to see the cyclists set off from our home at the start of their long journey, they are absolutely amazing – what a fantastic effort.  Our staff and residents loved helping them fundraise for Barchester’s Charitable Foundation which does such brilliant work helping to connect vulnerable people with their local communities.”