A CHARITY has thanked the Royal Hampshire County Hospital for its support by donating an exercise bike, writes Sam Hatherley.

Staff at the hospital have allowed Winchester Heart Support Group to use its gym facilities to host weekly cardiac rehabilitation classes.

Jim Finch, deputy chairman of the not-for-profit charity, said: “This is our way of saying thank you for all the long term support we have received from the trust, and we hope in the future to be in a position to support the hospitals cardiac rehab departments needs.

“We understand that equipment needs replacing every few years, and every donation can make a huge difference to patients and those who use the facilities.

“We hope that other people will also be encouraged to donate to such a worthy cause.”

The group also provides three sessions per week at the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Headquarters in Eastleigh.

Liz Britton, cardiac rehab leader at Hampshire Hospitals, which runs Andover War Memorial Hospital, Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital and Royal Hampshire County Hospital, said: “We are so grateful to the Winchester Heart Support Group for their generous donation of a new exercise bike for our gym.

“Equipment like this is an essential part of our exercise programme for the rehabilitation of patients following heart attack, heart surgery and heart failure.

“Without such generosity we would not be able to offer the exercise bikes as part of our circuits and we know from feedback how much the patients enjoy using them.”