STROKE patients at Noble's Hospital will be able to achieve their "ultimate potential" thanks to a donation from the Manx Stroke Foundation.
The foundation has donated a new exercise bike to the hospital which will assist stroke patients in regaining their cardiovascular fitness.
Members of the Manx Stroke Foundation visited the physiotherapy gym at the hospital to hand over the exercise bike to patients and staff on Thursday, November 3.
Christine Wright, a lead physiotherapist at Noble's Hospital, explained: "Obviously the most basic things that patients need are provided but this gives us something extra that we can use to help patients achieve their ultimate potential.
"We help them make progress so they are as good as they can be rather than just well enough to get home and manage.
"The bike is an excellent way of increasing their cardiovascular fitness. After a stroke people's exercise ability is limited because of lack of movement - by getting on an exercise bike they can regain some of that movement."
The Manx Stroke Foundation was set up in 1997 by four health-workers who recognised the need for additional support for stroke patients when they were discharged from hospital.
Treasurer Terry Chilcott, who had a stroke 23 years ago, said he believes the charity's work is vital in the current economic climate.
He said: "At the moment it is very important because of the cutbacks in everybody's budgets – including the health service. Obviously there is a limit to what we can do but if we can possibly help we will do. We realise we might be called upon a bit more than we have been and we are equipped for that."
The Manx Stroke Foundation, which has around 100 members, has raised tens of thousands of pounds since it was started.
Terry continued: "We are a registered charity and over the years we have bought about £42,000 of equipment for Noble's and the stroke units, about £16,000 for individuals who are discharged who need certain equipment and just recently we've sent money to London earmarked for a research programme. We've actually picked the research programme so we feel we are doing some good."
The foundation also holds public awareness events to increase people's awareness of having a stroke as well as social events for members.
Terry explained: "Every so often we’ll hold blood pressure checks where we can nab the public as they are walking past.
"We feel that's worthwhile because if we stop one person who doesn't know their blood pressure is high we can tell them to go to the doctor and we might hopefully save someone from having a stroke.
"I had my stroke 23 years ago and I haven't worked or driven since. I went to the inaugural meeting that the health workers called and it's been good therapy for me. It's kept my brain active."
The Manx Stroke Foundation would like to acknowledge the support of donations in memory of Helen Swinerton and Phillip Maddrell.
Picture caption: L to R - Jim Allen (patient), Terry Chillcot (Manx Stroke Foundation), Jane Bridge (occupational therapist) Christine Wright and Celia Croaker (physiotherapists), Joan Powell and Les Quayle (Manx Stroke Foundation) Graihagh Betteridge (physiotherapist) and Fred Powell, Irene Gardener and Ed Kelly (Manx Stroke Foundation).
