Pre And Post-op Heart And Lung Transplant Centre Patients Cycle To Herald Organ Donation Week

Ahead of Organ Donation Week (20-26 September), there are an incredible group of cyclists, The Electric Cranks, pre and post-op Heart and Lung Transplant Centre patients who are using electric bikes to aid their recovery and wellbeing.

Talking about how the group has helped his journey, Bob, one of the cyclists says: "The Electric Cranks gave me the impetus to purchase an ebike, to get out into the open country, to places that I feared I may never be able to access again, to recover my strength, fitness and stamina, to tackle new goals and this all helped me regain my self-confidence.

"Sharing so much with people who have travelled into the same dark and difficult places and who can truly understand. So many great photos and positive memories of the Electric Cranks already. Personally, I would have been in a very different place today without them, thank you all."

The first Electric Crank group ride was 16 miles on the Monsal Trail, nr Bakewell, in June 2019. Most Cranks have now bought their own ebikes but two enterprising members converted their existing cycles with front wheel hub motors.

There are 7 in the group (5 with active LVADs, 1 with a decommissioned LVAD, and one who has had a 'heart transplant') and they try and arrange a group ride every 2 to 3 weeks.