Respiratory physios at Humber NHS Trust are marking World COPD Day on 16 November with a double-pronged approach.
Left to right: principal physio Kirsteen Hasney, Mark Ellam (sponsor of the bike and technical support from Cliff Pratts Cycles of Hull), rehab assistant Julie Davies and clinical specialist respiratory physios Angela Roberts and Alison Lethbridge
The community respiratory service will be doing a sponsored ‘bike’ all day at the East Riding Community Hospital in Beverley, East Yorkshire.
Between them, team members aim to pedal 120 miles – the distance between their clinics – for pulmonary rehabilitation transport services.
‘As a team we are regularly trying to promote and increase awareness of COPD, a condition which often doesn't get much publicity,’ said clinical specialist respiratory physio Alison Lethbridge.
Mini-bus
The money raised through sponsorship will go towards the running costs of a mini-bus transporting patients with respiratory conditions to venues in Bridlington, Ottringham and Haltemprice.
‘Ours is a big rural area and if people haven’t got transport to get to our venue they wouldn’t get pulmonary rehabilitation,’ said Ms Lethbridge.
While the physios and other service colleagues will be pushing the pedals, clinic users have been set their own personal challenges.
Seven groups are being encouraged to walk in relays the equivalent of 120 miles on walking tracks set up at their clinics. This works out at 2,743 laps per team.
A sponsored walk last year raised nearly £350 a figure they hope to beat. A just giving web page has been set up for donations
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