SHE may have suffered a stroke in 2018 but 85- year- old Molly Tarrant from Poole has taken on a remarkable challenge.

She is aiming to cycle the equivalent distance of 100 miles, the same distance as Bournemouth to London. The fund raising bid, named #MollyRidesTolondon, is in aid of Lewis-Manning Hospice Care in Poole.

Molly, who worked as a delivery driver, is a resident at the Bourne View Nursing and Residential Care Home in Poole, which is part of the Colten Care Group. She suffered a severe stroke in 2018 which resulted in the loss of use of both her legs, her right arm and she also sustained major memory loss. 

Since moving to Bourne View in 2019 Molly has been carrying out prescribed exercises every day to rebuild the strength in her legs, regain muscle mass and generally help with her rehabilitation. Molly is still unable to walk, however, she’s been using the cycling machine nearly every day over the last couple of years.

Paul Wookey and Brian Ramsey from the home's Companionship Team said, “When chatting to Molly we came up with the idea of setting a challenge, just as Captain Sir Tom Moore did, but with a difference, and on a bike!  ...we can’t tell you how much admiration we have for her. It’s helping her overcome her fears and the adversity of all that she has suffered, it’s incredible. Molly recently lost a couple of very close friends at the care home, not through COVID, but natural causes. Her mental state of mind has suffered because of this but the cycling challenge has really given her something to focus on. Molly has the most vibrant personality and this challenge is showing her enormous strength of character and we have immense respect for her.”

Molly said, “I’m really proud because I am raising money for other people and helping them. I’m hoping to raise £1,000 and I’ve raised £178 so far. I love the fact that I’m fundraising for such a brilliant charity, Lewis-Manning Hospice Care, which is based just down the road from where I’ve always lived."  I’ve heard about the brilliant work that they do for patients with life limiting illnesses and I wanted to do something myself and give something back.

“So far I’ve cycled 9 miles and I’m cycling most days, with the occasional rest day. Mostly I cycle for about 10 minutes each day but last Saturday I cycled for 30 minutes. I felt good so just kept going, because I could!”

Lewis-Manning Hospice Care Chairman Jeremy Allin added, “What a wonderful lady Molly is, with so much grit and determination, very much to be admired. We are extremely grateful for Molly taking on this challenge and raising funds for her local hospice, it’s very much appreciated by everyone.”

To donate to #MollyRidesToLondon, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mollyridestolondon

and you will help Molly reach her £1,000 goal, as well as making a real different to local lives who desperately need hospice care.