Pedal power will help stroke unit (From Keighley News)
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Pedal power will help stroke unit
11:00am Friday 17th August 2012 in Keighley By Alistair Shand
Paul Dutton with his wife Lesley and son Oliver, who are tackling a Land's End to John O'Groats bike ride
A family of three is cycling the length of Britain to raise money for Airedale Hospital’s stroke unit.
Paul Dutton is tackling the epic ride – with his wife Lesley, 52, and 16-year-old son Oliver – in tribute to nursing staff who cared for his father Horace, who died in the unit last month.
The trio set off from Land’s End on July 30 and aim to arrive in John O’Groats this Saturday. They are posting daily updates online charting their progress.
Paul, 55, said the family were all keen cyclists but had never previously attempted a ride of this scale, which will cover over 1,000 miles.
“Two years ago we cycled coast to coast over the Easter half-term and then the Yorkshire Dales Cycleway in the October half-term,” he said.
Paul – who worked for the NHS for over 25 years, including a spell with the Yorkshire regional health authority, before taking early retirement – added: “My dad stayed in Airedale Hospital twice after having strokes and had excellent care both times.
“Not only did the staff really look after my mum and dad they also kept us very well informed about how dad was progressing, explained the process of palliative care and Liverpool Care Pathway and looked after us in his final hours.”
People can follow the progress of the bike ride by visiting http://duttonlejog.wordpress.com/, which also includes a route guide with details of facilities plus a blog and a link to a Just Giving website – justgiving.com/AiredaleStrokeFund – to donate to the unit.
The blog also includes a “Cake of the Day” feature based on cafes en route used by the family, who are staying overnight in bed and breakfast and youth hostel accommodation.
