Cycling mad care home resident inspires charity challenge

A resident at Timperley Care Home will give staff all the inspiration they need when they embark on a fund-raising cycle marathon.

For Peter Hesham, 87, has had a life-long passion for cycling – and even rode a stage of the Tour de France in his mid-70s.

Staff at the Kingsley Healthcare run home in Mainwood Road, Timperley, aim to complete 50 miles on an exercise bike to raise money for Alzheimer’s Society and hope Mr Hesham and other residents will join them.

The event is planned as a celebration of Dignity Action Day on February 1.

Home manager Carla Cooley said: “Dignity in care is so important and we wanted to do something that brings staff and residents together.”

Mr Hesham’s daughter Jane Larder said: “Dad will love it. I am sure he will want to take part.”

The retired management accountant, from Sale, who has three children and six grandchildren, began cycling as a teenager and his daughter said it had been one of his big passions “along with my mum Jean, playing the piano and his beloved Manchester City”.

She said: “When my mum went on holiday to Wales with her family, before they were married, he missed her so much he cycled to see her from Manchester.

“His job took him to many places in the world, including Uganda and Ghana in Africa, and he even managed to get in some cycling on these trips.”

He was in his 70s when he finally got to fulfil his ambition of completing a stage of the Tour de France, she added.

Mr Hesham’s cycling was only halted by an accident earlier this year, before he went into Timperley Care Home.

Jane said: “We have still got his custom-made bike. Although he won’t be able to cycle on the roads again, I’m sure he would love to climb back on the saddle on an exercise bike.”

Residents’ families and home visitors will be sponsoring staff on their fund-raiser.