In February 2018, Hand In Hand Activities CIC was lucky enough to be offered a loan trishaw for an afternoon so that they could offer a trishaw ride to people living with dementia around John Whitehead Park in Billingham. Even though the afternoon was marred by typical British weather, the rain didn't dampen the spirits of the volunteer trishaw pilots or members of the Young At Heart ULO dementia activity group who enjoyed short rides around the beautiful park.

Since the event, Hand In Hand Activities CIC has been fundraising to purchase a trishaw and open a Stockton on Tees Chapter of Cycling Without Age and successfully applied for affiliation with the international organisation.

This project is important to older and disabled people living in the Borough of Stockton on Tees because it offers a unique opportunity to explore the local community, engage with a variety of people, experience the wind in their hair. Trishaw passengers can be accompanied by a friend, family member, care professional or volunteer while the trishaw is piloted by a volunteer. This intimate experience offers opportunities for social engagement, story telling and reminiscence. It builds unique intergenerational relationships between people who might never have met and tackles social isolation in older people.

Although a number of fundraising activities have taken place over the last 18 months, there is still a shortfall on the amount required to purchase a trishaw. We would love to be able to order the trishaw before the end of 2019 so that people living in Stockton on Tees can start experiencing these fun rides in 2020.

Please give what you can to help to bring this fantastic experience to Stockton residents.

Thank you for reading about our cause.

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