Cycling veteran Gerard McCarten has completed his challenge to raise money for the NHS.
Gerard, 84, rode 100 minutes for the carers, doctors and NHS staff who had done so much over 20 years for him and wife Margaret.
He had initially set a target of £500 but this afternoon has edged over £1,000 in donations.
Proceeds will be divided between Hospice at Home West Cumbria, the ambulance service and Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service.
Gerard says: “Margaret and I owe so much to all the caring professions for their care and dedication over the past two decades that we felt the need to say thank you
“They have all been heroes to us and deserve all the support that we can give them.”
Gerard is surviving prostate cancer, detected at the turn of the century, and then he had a heart arrythmia attack in 2016 while on his regular cycle ride.
Three good Samaritans in Cleator Moor called the emergency services and made sure he remained conscious until they arrived.
He now rides with an ‘angel’ on his shoulder in the form of a defibrillator. His operations were carried out at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.
In 2020, Margaret was returned home from West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven for palliative care and needed both ambulance and fire crews for the transition, which caused quite a stir for the neighbours.
Margaret remains confined to bed and needs care from the care in the community teams.
“The care team are absolutely wonderful and so cheerful. We have som many laughs in our home when they are there,” said Gerard.
Using the power of radio transmitted heartbeats, Gerard cycled for 100 minutes and maintained a heart rate of 100 beats per minute for the duration of his effort.
Riding no further from his front door than 25 metres Gerard generated 10,000 heartbeats and each and every one was transmitted over the ethernet to all the doctors, nurses and carers in the community.
Gerard said: “Each heartbeat was a kiss and a hug from Margaret and myself to say thank you.”
To donate, visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/Gerard-McCarten
