HEART PATIENTS COMPLETE 100 MILE CYCLE CHALLENGE

Wigwam® Holidays Presents: At Home, Outdoors – a video series telling stories that
showcase extraordinary connections with the great outdoors.
The latest episode; Electric Cranks, features an inspiring group of heart and lung
transplant patients from Wythenshawe Hospital who used e-bikes to cycle 100 miles
across the UK along the classic ‘Coast to Coast’ Route 72 from Bowness-on-Solway to
South Shields.
The riders are themselves ‘e-humans’ with Left Ventricular Assist Devices (LVADs) –
mechanical heart pumps powered by large external batteries – fitted and connected via
an abdominal driveline.
Dr Steven Shaw, Consultant Cardiologist, said “These are patients whose hearts had
completely failed, and they were at the point of imminent death. It’s just wonderful to see
how much of a restoration of life this treatment was able to give.”
The patients completed the challenge in order to further pioneer the effectiveness of the
LVAD and raise awareness of those living with severe heart failure and an LVAD. They
also generated funds for New Start (Wythenshawe Hospital Transplant Fund).
Charles Gulland, Managing Director for Wigwam Holidays, said “We are absolutely
delighted to support the Electric Cranks in providing accommodation and donation for
this incredibly inspirational team. We share their relentless enthusiasm for the great
outdoors and the belief in the health and wellbeing benefits that contact with nature
affords us.”
The Electric Cranks have been labelled the ‘flagship patients’ for Wythenshawe Hospital
for their determination to enjoy the outdoors and ability to inspire those around them
and already they are planning their next fundraising cycling journey