What a memorable experience cyclist Pam Erny had as a volunteer with the Cycling Without Age program. Pam’s Castlemaine based residential care passenger, Herb, is 102 years old and going on 103 later in 2024. He was recently being taken for an outing in a trishaw and had never been on a bike ride before!
Being in control of the trishaw, Pam said she was conscious of every little bump, “Lest I should break him! What a delightful gentleman he was.” Her elderly passenger kept saying, “Ohh, this is too far for you, and ohh, I’m being a nuisance.” To which Pam replied that the bike was electric and its really easy to ride.
Along the way, Herb reached out and grabbed some leaves off a couple of overhanging branches, just to feel their texture, all part of enjoying being out in nature again. Travelling along the Campbells Creek Trail, Pam’s passenger said that he hadn’t been on this before, so she was very glad to be able to offer him that experience.
“When we returned to the residential home, we both held hands, first one hand, then both hands and with tears welling in my eyes I told him that it was a privilege for me to have been able to take him on that outing,” Pam explained. “He was very grateful indeed! So thank you, Cycling Without Age, for doing what you do and for making a difference to our precious elderly.”
If you would like to become involved and perhaps assist with getting Cycling Without Age to come to the Greater Bendigo, contact Pam at [email protected]