Specialist exercise bike for hospital thanks to fundraisers
A specialist exercise bike has been purchased for the West Suffolk Hospital thanks to funds raised in memory of a previous patient and a donation from a masonic lodge.
Up to £200 was raised following the funeral of Michael Richards, from Hessett, with a further £1,278 from funds via the social media Just Giving site, plus £2,500 from the Provincial Grand Lodge of Suffolk of which he was a member for over 25 years.
The new machine, called a Motomed, is an interactive therapy machine which allows users to train while seated in a wheelchair or from a chair and is used by specialist neurological physiotherapists as they care for patients who have suffered physical impairment caused by conditions such as a stroke, Parkinson’s Disease or spinal cord injury.
Mr Richards’ daughter Jenny Day, who works for Communities Together East Anglia, in Stowmarket, said her father was diagnosed with a specific kind of muscular dystrophy, called facioscapulohumeral, when he was in his 40s and the condition worsened over the years as he struggled to move himself.
The complaint is a genetic muscle disorder in which the muscles of the face, shoulder blades, and upper arms are among the most affected.
Mr Richards, who owned flavour and fragrances business SRS Aromatic, based on the Moreton Hall Industrial Estate, in Bury St Edmunds, was cared for by his wife Linda prior to his death, aged 76, in February this year.
Jenny said: “We wanted to raise money for the neuro-therapy department through the My WiSH Charity to help fund some equipment to help anybody else that struggles physically.
“His mobility got worse and worse over the years, he had to stop driving, his muscles slowly deteriorated over time and he struggled to dress himself.
“He was supported by the hospital and we wanted the money to go to the West Suffolk. This bike (Motomed) is brilliant.
“He had walking aids supplied by the neurological department and we just wanted to raise money for whatever equipment that would be of benefit people.”
Jenny added: “My dad was well-known throughout the ranks, so the Provincial Grand Lodge of Suffolk donated in his memory towards this piece of equipment which really helped.”
Sally Daniels, fundraising manager, thanked Jenny for thinking of others at such a difficult time and added “This was a fantastic sum of money raised which shows how well thought of Michael was. Adding the donation from the Lodge really boosted it allowing us to buy this brilliant bike. It’s the third one we have purchased for various areas of the hospital, and they’ve always proved to be really beneficial to patients. Thank you to everyone who donated and made a difference.”
Hear Jenny’s story in our video below:
Written by Russell Cook for My WiSH Charity.