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Canberra Today 18°/22° | Friday, March 29, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Rotary takes Doris for a final spin

EIGHTY-eight-year-old Doris Wilson, who has dementia and recently suffered a stroke, wanted to enjoy one last bike ride.

Doris Wilson goes for a spin with Rotary’s Jeff Ibbotson.

But with her limited mobility, staff at Uniting Mirinjani Weston had to get creative to grant their aged-care resident her wish.

They contacted the Woden Rotary Club, which has a trishaw (or trike) and fit volunteers to pedal passengers around.

Doris had her wish granted with a half-hour ride around Weston and enjoyed the windy day with characteristic good humour.

“I felt a lot, luckily my pants didn’t blow off!” she said.

Leisure and wellness co-ordinator Jo Sumner said: “Doris used to ride her bike around Townsville as a child and I guess that sensation of freedom was something she wanted to experience again.” 

“Rider” Jeff Ibbotson, from Rotary, is calling on other services to make the most of the trishaw, especially for people with mobility issues.

“They’re thrilled to get out in the open air and it’s a change of scene as they’re often indoors most of the time,” he said.

Book a test ride at ibbo@netspeed.com.au or 0427 755920.

 

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