RESIDENTS at a Winchester care home have cycled more than 300km to help get a hospice in the city.

Sunrise of Winchester hosted a sponsored Bikeathon, with residents, families and team members putting in a huge effort to cycle 301.7km for Winchester Hospice.

Residents have been training on their Motiview bikes, which use innovative technology to enable residents to cycle while ‘visiting’ locations around the world.

Since the bikes were installed in March, the residents have cycled 1,800km and have become an important part of Sunrise’s activity programme.

Among those to take part were 96-year-old Edna, who is a fan of the bikes as it allows her to exercise whatever the weather, and former professional tennis player Susan, aged 100, who has been enjoying the bikes as a new way to stay active.

The residents set out to cycle as far as possible, with all funds raised going towards converting the Burrell House, on the ground of the Royal Hampshire County Hospital, into Winchester Hospice by 2020. They managed to raise £400 through the fundraiser.

Louise Murkin, activities coordinator at Sunrise, said: “We’ve had really good feedback from residents and their families about how motivated they have become through using the bikes and we’re pleased with the huge impact this new activity has had on the whole community.”