For the fifth consecutive year, colleagues from Barchester Healthcare’s care homes and hospitals have tackled the Tour de Barchester, a gruelling 200 mile cycling challenge, all in the name of charity.
Over four days in May a team of care home workers, suppliers and directors cycled across Barchester’s North East & Scotland Division from Thurso to Glasgow via Inverness, Dundee and Edinburgh calling at 16 care homes and a support office to meet well-wishers, have a well-earned break and refuel before continuing on their way. They were joined and supported by suppliers, sponsors, staff members and residents from different homes and teams as the Tour passed through. Representatives from local groups and charities that had recently received funding from the Foundation were also invited to join in the celebrations.
Shona Conway, Foundation Trustee, Tour de Barchester Organiser and team cyclist, said: “I am delighted to say that so far this year through our corporate sponsors and with the help of all our services supporting us we have raised a staggering £64,000 which is just wonderful and money is still coming in. I am so proud and so grateful to all the homes and colleagues that welcomed us en route and helped us fundraise. I also have to say a massive thank you to our superb support crew who are absolute legends and to our very generous corporate sponsors, without them Tour de Barchester wouldn’t be able to happen.”
Chair of Barchester’s Charitable Foundation, Chief Commercial Officer and Tour de Barchester team cyclist, Simon McCall, commented: “Everyone knows that the Tour is my favourite week of the year. It is an absolute pleasure and a privilege to get out on the open road, visit our wonderful homes and meet our fantastic residents, patients and teams to witness first hand all the crazy things they are getting up to in the name of charity. Being in the Highlands this year we had lots of bagpipes, kilts and Scottish dancing, my absolute highlight was the sensational wheelchair Scottish dancing with the residents at our Fordmill care home in Montrose, that was outstanding but everywhere we went gave us such a warm welcome.
“We have raised a phenomenal amount again this year and it will be put to such good use supporting individuals, community groups and small charities, helping to connect people and combat loneliness which is what the Foundation is all about. Thank you to every single person involved, you are all absolute superstars. Here’s to the Tour 2027, we’re already planning!”