Let's Ride to Give Back is an event that is being organised by patients and staff at Langdon hospital. The idea came from the patients. We will be cycling from Langdon hospital to John O’ Groats (a distance of 1125Km) on spinning bikes in Dewnans gym, and in Dewnans reception. Money raised will be donated to the charity ‘PATH’ – People Assisting Torbay Homeless, as well as the resurfacing of the sports barn surface at Dewnans, Langdon Hospital. There are city milestones along the way, and each ward (eight in total) has been allocated a city. When we have cycled the distance to a particular city, the relevant ward will run various activities to raise funds for homeless packs, which will then be donated to PATH. The event is expected to last approximately three months in total.

Patients would like to raise money for PATH because several of them were once homeless themselves, and they know what it feels like to have nothing. Also, a lot of patients at Langdon hospital take medication which can potentially lead to weight gain, so having the sports barn resurfaced is really important to them, as exercise and sports helps them to manage this. It also builds confidence, self-esteem and friendship, and it enables staff and patients work together more effectively. 

Patients have commented -

"I am really excited about the Let's Ride to Give Back event".

"It will help people that live on the streets and who are homeless, and I think that is really important".

"It gives me an opportunity to give something back to the community".

"I had help when I needed it and now I can help others".

Our patients want to help themselves, and those people who are homeless in Devon, by encouraging recovery, activity, wellbeing and closer community links.