An incredible 85-year old lady, name Molly Tarrant from Poole in Dorset has taken on a cycling challenge, named #MollyRidesTolondon, to raise funds for Lewis-Manning Hospice Care in Poole.
Molly is a resident at the Bourne View Nursing and Residential Care Home in Poole which is part of the Colten Care Group.
Molly’s challenge is even more incredible as she suffered a severe stroke in 2018 which resulted in the loss of use of both her legs, her right arm and she also sustained major memory loss.
Since moving to Bourne View Care Home in 2019 Molly has been carrying out prescribed exercises every day to rebuild the strength in her legs, regain muscle mass and generally help with her rehabilitation. Molly is still unable to walk, however, she’s been using the cycling machine nearly every day over the last couple of years.
Paul Wookey and Brian Ramsey from the Bourne View Care Home Companionship Team said, “When chatting to Molly we came up with the idea of setting a challenge, just as Captain Sir Tom Moore did, but with a difference, and on a bike! Molly is aiming to cycle 100 miles, the same distance as Bournemouth to London, and raise money at the same time.
“Molly has started her challenge and we can’t tell you how much admiration we have for her. It’s helping her overcome her fears and the adversity of all that she has suffered, it’s incredible. Molly recently lost a couple of very close friends at the care home, not through COVID, but natural causes. Her mental state of mind has suffered because of this but the cycling challenge has really given her something to focus on. Molly has the most vibrant personality and this challenge is showing her enormous strength of character and we have immense respect for her.”
Molly said, “I’m really proud because I am raising money for other people and helping them. I’m hoping to raise £1,000 and I’ve raised £178 so far. I love the fact that I’m fundraising for such a brilliant charity, Lewis-Manning Hospice Care, which is based just down the road from where I’ve always lived. I’ve heard about the brilliant work that they do for patients with life limiting illnesses and I wanted to do something myself and give something back.”
“So far I’ve cycled 9 miles and I’m cycling most days, with the occasional rest day. Mostly I cycle for about 10 minutes each day but last Saturday I cycled for 30 minutes. I felt good so just kept going, because I could!”
Lewis-Manning Hospice Care Chairman Jeremy Allin added, “What a wonderful lady Molly is, with so much grit and determination, very much to be admired. We are extremely grateful for Molly taking on this challenge and raising funds for her local hospice, it’s very much appreciated by everyone.”
To donate to #MollyRidesToLondon, visit www.justgiving.com/
Born in Poole in 1936, Molly married Frank in her early 20’s at Oakdale Church, Poole. Frank died in 2000. Molly has lived in Oakdale, Poole all her life and in the same house for 40 years. In her working life Molly worked as a delivery driver.
About Lewis-Manning Hospice Care Lewis-Manning Hospice Care is a charity established 29 years ago, providing extraordinary care to patients and their families facing a life-limiting illness across Poole, Purbeck and East Dorset. We offer a range of free hospice care services aimed at helping people to live well through their illness, closer to home. These include: - Day hospices, virtual and in person - Creative arts & wellbeing support - Lymphoedema clinic for cancer patients - Better breathing clinic - Family bereavement & support Every year we support nearly 500 local people and we develop new services, based on patient need and identified gaps in the area. To do this we need to raise over £1.6m every year. Without these funds we could not exist. Our important work increases people’s physical and social well-being, reduces isolation and loneliness, supports people to stay in their homes longer, and alleviates the huge pressures on family and carers. Registered charity no. 1120193