Wigwam® Holidays Presents: At Home, Outdoors – a video series telling stories that
showcase extraordinary connections with the great outdoors.
The latest episode; Electric Cranks, features an inspiring group of heart and lung
transplant patients from Wythenshawe Hospital who used e-bikes to cycle 100 miles
across the UK along the classic ‘Coast to Coast’ Route 72 from Bowness-on-Solway to
South Shields.
The riders are themselves ‘e-humans’ with Left Ventricular Assist Devices (LVADs) –
mechanical heart pumps powered by large external batteries – fitted and connected via
an abdominal driveline.
Dr Steven Shaw, Consultant Cardiologist, said “These are patients whose hearts had
completely failed, and they were at the point of imminent death. It’s just wonderful to see
how much of a restoration of life this treatment was able to give.”
The patients completed the challenge in order to further pioneer the effectiveness of the
LVAD and raise awareness of those living with severe heart failure and an LVAD. They
also generated funds for New Start (Wythenshawe Hospital Transplant Fund).
Charles Gulland, Managing Director for Wigwam Holidays, said “We are absolutely
delighted to support the Electric Cranks in providing accommodation and donation for
this incredibly inspirational team. We share their relentless enthusiasm for the great
outdoors and the belief in the health and wellbeing benefits that contact with nature
affords us.”
The Electric Cranks have been labelled the ‘flagship patients’ for Wythenshawe Hospital
for their determination to enjoy the outdoors and ability to inspire those around them
and already they are planning their next fundraising cycling journey

We are pleased to announce for the first time in the Transplant Games History, Wythenshawe won the trophy for the top performing Heart and Lung Unit. Our fantastic Team won 18 Gold, 4 Silver and 6 Bronze at the British Transplant Games which took part in Leeds recently

Great to see the Electric Cranks gearing up for their cycle ride next week.

to sponsor them please go to:

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/peter-o-donnell311

A massive Thank you to the Stockport Crusaders Scooter Club who visited the Transplant Centre last week. They presented us with £525 which had been raised on the Manchester St Georges Ride. The fundraising was in memory of Johnny Bolland who was a Lung Recipient and an active member of the Club.

At the end of June our intrepid Cyclists “the Electric Cranks ” are taking part in a Coast 2 Coast Cycle Ride. The riders are all LVAD recipients so as you can imagine this ride is no mean feat as they have to carry all their battery packs and spares whilst riding. To sponsor them please click HERE