Fresh off their Plymbledon success, the amazing team at Plym Neuro Rehab Unit (PNRU) got back into the saddle last week for a fresh challenge – the Tour de Plym.
Inspired by the Tour de France, their new rehabilitation challenge saw the people they care for joined by staff and visitors to cycle the distance from Plymouth to Paris – a whopping 798km (496 miles)!
PNRU provides intensive inpatient specialist rehabilitation for adults with acquired brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and other neurological conditions. The Tour de Plym has become a popular annual event for PNRU, and this year they’ve added fundraising to their rehab goals.
All money raised is used to fund equipment which supports rehabilitation, with items such as a specialised shower chair being on PNRU’s current wishlist. If you’d like to support them, click here to visit their JustGiving page.
Katie Stokes, Occupational Therapy Apprentice, said: “Being in hospital can be really isolating, and group activities provide opportunities for patients to connect with others facing similar challenges. This social support can reduce feelings of isolation, improve mood, and boost motivation. It also helps with increasing the intensity of therapy for our patients.
“Cycling is so beneficial for rehabilitation, helping to strengthen muscles and work on coordination. Cycling as a group activity has helped motivate people to increase their activity levels while also being brilliant for creating an enriched environment on the unit.
“Everyone has been so enthusiastic and feeling such a high. Often patients haven’t even realised that they have been exceeding their personal bests – and the same goes for the staff!”
During cycling sessions, the unit has been watching cycling simulations and playing motivational music to help keep spirits high. Having already collectively reached their goal of 798km, the group decided to push even further to a full 800km. One patient chose ‘The Climb’ as the soundtrack for their final leg, and the group all sang along during their last 2km. You can watch the special moment here: Instagram
Plym Neuro smash their final 2km
Katie said: “We have had great feedback from everyone. It has helped us all to be more active, encourage one another and work as a team to achieve our goals.”
