Residents of a Plymouth dementia care home will be enjoying the benefits of new interactive audio-visual technology around the home thanks to a sponsored cycle undertaken by staff and supporters.

Sarah McCaffrey, deputy manager at Butterfly Lodge, and the home’s activities co-ordinator Paul Hutt were so enthusiastic about a mobile entertainment unit they saw at a conference earlier in the year that they inspired colleagues and friends to join them on a sponsored cycle challenge along the Camel Trail - and the eight-strong team succeeded in raising a total of £500.

The high-tech kit enables residents confined to their rooms to share in activities taking place elsewhere in the home, so everyone can benefit equally from music, singing, reminiscence and other fun activities via live-streaming.

Barry Jones, a keen cyclist and Butterfly Lodge’s maintenance man, proposed the Camel Trail as a suitable route and led the pack. Other participants included kitchen assistant Lisa Palmer, domestic Clare Hamilton, care assistant Claire Walker, Sam Wilkinson the home’s senior healthcare assistant, and activities co-ordinator Kelly Tennant, as well as Sarah and Paul.

The 11-mile route took the team an hour to complete, following the trail from Wadebridge to Padstow and back, with a quick pub-break at the furthest point.

Sarah McCaffery said: “This was a great team effort and we’re really delighted with the result – we know our residents are going to get a lot out of the new kit we’re buying with the sponsorship money.

“Not only will it enable residents to join in with group activities no matter where they may be in our home, it will also mean everyone can more easily access live-screening from outside the home, as well as using it for playing video messages from families and friends and using it for other activities such as karaoke.

“Huge thanks to everyone who took part, and to all our generous sponsors.”

Butterfly Lodge is run by award-winning dementia care providers Camelot Care who also have homes in Wellington and Bridgwater in Somerset. www.camelotcare.co.uk