Denny volunteers get on their bikes to deliver prescriptions

Energetic volunteers are ensuring that all those who need vital medicines in one part of the district receive them and stay safe.
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The Denny and Dunipace Chapter of Cycling Without Age Scotland has been delivering prescriptions for The Pines and Lloyds pharmacies during the coronavirus pandemic.

This means that the grateful recipients, many of whom are in the at risk category, don’t have to venture out, cutting down the risk of virus transmission.

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They’ve been using the specially designed trishaws, a bicycle with a passenger compartment at the front.

These were initially introduced in Falkirk to give care home residents an opportunity to get and about. Their success quickly spread and there are now elderly and disabled people all across the country who have enjoyed outings.

However, the Covid-19 crisis has put paid to trips for the time being but the Denny and Dunipace branch isn’t let anything stop them serving their community.

Members recently took delivery of their second trishaw, named Stellanor after the two people in whose memory it was donated.

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Chapter captain Ken McLean said: “In normal times, what is so special is the delight on passengers’ faces when they’ve just enjoyed a fabulous ride through the countryside, an experience that the majority haven’t had for such a long time.

“Now, as we’re all fighting the pandemic, it’s so rewarding to know that Cycling Without Age Scotland and its trishaws are still playing a vitally important role, keeping people reassured that they will get their essential medicines whilst reducing the overall risk to their community.”

An added bonus for Ken, a retired GP, has been that delivering prescriptions has enabled him to catch up with former patients and all their news.

Thanking all the volunteers, Minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing, Joe Fitzpatrick said: “The Scottish Government is proud to support the roll-out of Cycling Without Age across Scotland. I congratulate the Denny and Dunipace Chapter for the tremendous work being done to assist the most vulnerable in the local community during the COVID-19 outbreak.”

To find out more, call 07367 070 121.