Banbury care home takes part in virtual London Marathon

Cheered on by residents, the care team at Anchor’s The Ridings in Calder Close took part in the Virtual London Marathon with staff collectively running 26.2 miles on a treadmill.

The care home has held a variety of sporting events for the residents recently to encourage engagement and meaningful activity.

In July the garden was turned into a cricket pitch and basketball court while the lounge hosted table tennis matches as part of Anchor’s Summer of Sport.

The idea for The Ridings to compete in the Virtual London Marathon was the brainchild of Emma Wright, Anchor’s Wellness Co-ordinator.

Emma said: “Our residents were disappointed like a lot of people that the London Marathon, along with many sports events, was cancelled this year due to the pandemic.

“It is a global event, that so many people take part in and I saw it as a great opportunity to get involved, to exercise our bodies and minds, do a meaningful activity while also having fun!”

Lisa Oliver, deputy manager of The Ridings care home said: “It was great that our home was part of 45,000 other runners around the country, completing it. We’ve been really restricted in our usual external programme of activities and the pandemic has really encouraged us to reflect and get creative.

The London Marathon unites people and for my colleagues to be able to compete and put a smile on the faces of the residents, was fantastic.”

Resident, Vera Jaycock, who is a big fan of the London Marathon said: “It’s a shame the London Marathon and many other sports have been cancelled but the Virtual Marathon was great fun.

“Sport is part of everyone’s life, and I love watching the London Marathon, to be able to watch the team, who have been working so hard looking after us, take part was amazing.”