A CARE home manager has completed the 1,000 mile Epic Challenge on her bike - despite a fall which left her on crutches.

But Becky Dunn said her challenge did not compare to the daily difficulties faced each day by residents with Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Becky’s cycle challenge raised £700 for Alzheimer’s Research UK as part of the charity’s annual fundraising initiative which sees people race to complete the miles over three months.

The manager of Anchor Lodge care home in Walton and other cyclists raised more than £180,000 altogether - the equivalent to 9,000 hours of research into Alzheimer’s.

“It puts it into perspective and allows you to take some ownership over some of the work being done,” she said.

“It’s been a great experience and I’ve been really well supported.”

An early injury put Becky on crutches for two weeks and meant she had to “play catch up” on the daily mileage and temporarily take her exercise indoors.

The fair-weather cyclist was thrown off her bike going over a pothole filled with water that she mistook for a puddle.

She said: “I’m nearing 50 now and I realised as I fell off the bike I’m too old to hit the concrete.

“It was incredibly painful and cold. I was lucky enough I was helped by some dog walkers.

“I couldn’t cycle for a few weeks which made me wonder if I’d complete the challenge, but I did, so I count myself very lucky.”

To complete the sponsored task, Becky would cycle between St Osyth and Walton, squeeze up to 15 mile cycles in the evening and would even go out again at lunchtimes to tot up the miles.

Despite having to contend with poor road conditions and inconsiderate drivers, the cycling novice said she plans to do it all again later this year.

Her fitness has improved as a result and now she has a triathlon in her sights although she has not yet jumped back on the saddle.

She said: “It was a bit tedious at times but nothing compared to the experiences of the people here who we look after.

“I felt it was right for me to do more and try to raise the profile of Alzheimer’s and dementia, but also to get out of my comfort zone.

“There’s a lot that could be done around educating people, and families as well.

“It’s an incredibly emotive time when you have someone in a care environment and they’re wasting away in front of you with their brain telling them all sorts of things.

“This research will go somewhere to make changes and help people lead better lives.”