Sponsored Bike Ride - Saturday 14th May and Sunday 15 May 2011

Barnsley Independent Alzheimer's and Dementia Support, formed by a breakaway group from the national Alzheimer's Society sent a fundraising group on a coast to coast bike ride last weekend to be met by members of Action on Dementia Sunderland another group that broke away from the Alzheimer's Society.

The daughter of BIADS' chairman, Deborah Cowin, and two friends rode the famous coast to coast route as a practice run for their John O’Groats to Lands End attempt later in the year and as they are great supporters of the work BIADS and other breakaway groups have been doing they arranged to meet up with members from the newly formed Sunderland group.

BIADS held a sweepstake on how many calories Deborah used up on her ride and a £10 Marks and Spencer voucher was won by BIADS’ volunteer Sheila O'Carroll who guessed nearest at 6,000; the true figure was actually 6,288 and Deborah is looking forward to the 12.8 Mars Bars she can now eat to make up for the loss.

Action on Dementia Sunderland members were there to greet the team when they arrived at Sunderland's Roker beach where they were welcomed with open arms and then treated to a beautiful Italian meal before setting off home.