AN ENERGETIC team of cyclists from Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust passed through Basingstoke on a journey to raise awareness of learning disabilities.

The gruelling 125-mile bike ride – dubbed the Tour de Southern – also raised more than £400 for the UK Sport Association for People with a Learning Disabilities, and Cancer Research UK – the chosen charity of service users.

The plucky cyclists set off from the trust’s Evenlode base in Oxford to the Ridgeway Centre in High Wycombe.

Refuelled, the team headed south to the Dame Mary Fagan House, in Lutyens Close, Chineham, before completing the final and hardest leg of the ride to the Southern Health headquarters at Tatchbury Mount, in the New Forest.

Modern matron Brian Murtagh, who took part in the ride, said: “Physical activity is a really important aspect of a balanced life for people with a learning disability.

“Not only because of the obvious links with physical and mental health and wellbeing, but also in managing arousal levels of some of the people we see with challenging behaviour.”

Medical director Dr Martyn Diaper, who joined the team on the ride, spoke of the passion and dedication of staff in the role they play in improving the lives of those who use the trust’s services.

He said: “It was a tough day, but with the support of the staff and patients at the units we visited, as well as the continuing encouragement from the support team made up of patients and staff, we were continually reminded of why we had taken on the challenge.

“We hope to be able to make this even bigger and better next year and a permanent fixture in the Southern Health calendar.”