Montrose care home welcomes ‘Tour’ cyclists
For the fifth year running, staff from Barchester Healthcare’s care homes and hospitals took on a gruelling cycling challenge, this time from Thurso to Edinburgh.
Their aim was to raise money for Barchester’s Charitable Foundation which supports older people and other adults living with a disability or mental health conditions by helping them to connect or re-connect with others in their local communities.
Set up in 2000, this year marks the foundation’s 26th year supporting individuals, community groups and small charities all across the country.
Over four days a team of Barchester staff cycled more than 200 miles from Thurso, through Inverness, Aberdeen, Dundee to Edinburgh and finally Glasgow, stopping at 16 care homes across Barchester’s Scotland and North East division to meet well-wishers, have a well-earned break and refuel before continuing on their way.
One of the stop-off points was at Fordmill Care Home in Montrose whose manager, Aileen Alberts, was one of the cyclists taking part in the event.
She experienced a welcome filled with warmth, pride, and happy tears.
Waiting outside was a scene which included highland dancers stepping and spinning with bright smiles, tartan swaying as music filled the air.
Alpacas Annie and her baby Massie stood nearby while residents and staff cheered, waved handmade signs, and shared laughter.
A Barchester spokesperson said: “Every detail spoke of thoughtfulness, teamwork, and the kind of care that goes well beyond the everyday.”
Aileen said that the reception at Fordmill was a measure of the positive relationship between the homes staff, residents and the wider local community.
She said: “This welcome wasn’t just about finishing a ride, it was about celebrating one another.
“It showed the strong bonds between our staff, residents and their families, and how each person here plays a part in creating a place where everyone feels seen, supported, and valued.
“In that joyful moment, our care home felt more than ever like a close community connected by shared pride and genuine affection.”
She added: “We’re incredibly proud of the dedication behind this charity event, a powerful reminder of what’s possible when compassion meets commitment.
“Every mile cycled represented not only personal determination, but also a heartfelt effort to make a difference for others.”
Barchester’s Charitable Foundation is a registered charity that helps older people and other adults with a disability or mental health problems across England, Scotland and Wales.
It allocates grants to help people to connect or re-connect with others in their local communities, and its focus is to combat loneliness and enable people to be active and engaged.
To find out more about Barchester’s Charitable Foundation and information on how small groups/charities and individuals can apply for a grant, visit the company’s website at www.bhcfoundation.org.uk.
To donate to the campaign, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/page/tour-de-barchester-26