Ballendalla Red Cross members Kath Bubb, Stephen Rhind and Judith White stand beside bike rider Racquel Blabey and her two passengers, Mary Cavallaro and Lil Read, as other REDHS staff and Yalukang aged care residents watched on.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
After an almost four-year wait, the Rochester and Elmore District Health Service has officially launched its triobike.
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The triobike will make it possible for Yalukang aged care residents and family members to spend time outside the facility during warmer days.
Through a $10,000 donation from the Ballendella Red Cross group in 2022, REDHS was able to purchase the bike.
Mary Cavallaro and Lil Read got to try out the new bike as Racquel Blabey circled the REDHS parking lot.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
However, due to the floods, the launch was put on hold until the REDHS facility was reopened.
REDHS chief executive Mary Manescu said the bike was a welcome addition to the hospital.
“It is so valuable to just be able to give our residents and their families the joy of another opportunity to explore the outdoors,” she said.
“It’s a real treat to give them a chance to not only take in the experience of the bike ride, but also to see familiar or special places that they would have gone to during their lives.”
The bike has pedal assist, making it easier for the rider to steer the passengers.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Before the bike can be utilised by residents, the hospital will conduct a risk assessment to find the best way to run the experience.
Riders will also need to have a good understanding of the requirements, in the case of an emergency.
Once the risk assessment is done, a process will be set up to streamline access to the bike for staff, residents and family members.
Ballendella Red Cross secretary Stephen Rhind said the group was happy to fund the project.
“It was suggested to us by REDHS, as they needed some money towards it,” he said.
“We hope it gets very well used because we were more than happy to donate the money to it.”
Erick Melad, Kath Bubb, Mary Manescu, Stephen Rhind, Mary Cavallaro, Lil Read, Racquel Blabey, Judith White, Mandy Mackenzie and Meaghan Douglas were all smiles at the launch.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Ballendella Red Cross is a local charity group that provides assistance to local groups where possible.
To continue helping the community bring projects such as the triobike to life, it needs more committee members and volunteers.
The group currently meets four times a year at the Senior Citizens Rooms in Rochester.
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, June 12, at 1.30pm.
If you are interested in joining the group, contact Stephen Rhind on 0427 186 307.
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