105-year-old Jack among those at Northampton care home to jump in the saddle in aid of Nepal

Staff and residents at a Northampton care home have pedalled hundreds of kilometres to raise funds in support of their peers.

Two members of the team at Timken Grange had loved ones affected by the devastating flash floods in Nepal.

While their friends and family are safe, the care home wanted to show their support by raising money for the relief effort.

They set up three exercise bikes with the aim of cycling 146km in 48 hours – the distance of the Bhote Khosi river which flooded.

Timken Grange manager Louise Mulvaney said: “The reason behind this fundraising is particularly close to our hearts.

“Two members of our team are from Nepal and, although thankfully their immediate families are safe, they have been personally affected by seeing the devastation that has happened to their homeland and communities.

“Our deputy chef's family are safe, and we were incredibly relieved to hear that a friend of his who had initially been missing has also now been found safe. One of our night team members is also from Nepal, and thankfully their family are safe too.

“For both of them the impact goes far beyond their immediate families. Nepal is their home. They have friends, extended family and communities there, and it has understandably been incredibly difficult for them to see the scale of the devastation and what people in their country are going through.

“Seeing colleagues we work alongside every day worrying about their homeland and the people within their communities made us feel that we wanted to do something positive and practical. We want them to know that their Timken Grange family stands alongside them.”

The challenge saw staff, residents and visitors jump on the exercise bikes to take part.

And it was such a success the team reached their target well within the time limit and decided to set off again – aiming to cycle a total of 292km in 48 hours.

Care home resident Jack Waterfield, who is 105-years-old, cycled 2km and ensured he was nearby to encourage the rest of the cyclists.

Louise added: “There has been plenty of pedalling, cheering, laughter, encouragement and amazing teamwork. It’s been wonderful to see everyone getting behind such a fantastic cause.

“The atmosphere has been absolutely incredible - residents, team members and supporters have all played their part showing exactly what can happen when a community comes together for something that really matters.

“Thank you to everyone who took part, cheered us on and donated. Your generosity and support mean so much and have helped make our challenge a huge success.”

So far, some £245 of the £900 target has been reached, with money raised going to the Stand With Nepal Emergency Fundraising Appeal organised by the local Nepalese community.

Louise added: “The appeal has been organised by the Nepalese community in Northamptonshire, bringing people together to support those affected by the devastation in Nepal.

“We want to stand alongside them. Our cycling challenge is Timken Grange’s way of supporting that appeal while also showing our two Nepalese colleagues just how much they and their homeland mean to us.”

Visit www.gofundme.com/f/the-nepal-disaster to donate or find out more.