CUMNOCK’S Community Hospital is helping the elderly get on bikes.

The Marchburn ward has launched a new trishaw bike initiative supported by Cycling Without Age Scotland.

Selfless staff have vowed to take on Goatfell in an ambitious effort to raise funds for the cause.

They are hoping patients and pensioners will be encouraged to take up cycling.

On a GoFund me page they said: “Cycling Without Age was started in 2012 by Ole Kassow and Dorthe Pederson to help the elderly get back on their bicycles and feel the wind in their hair again.

“They started offering free trishaw bike rides to local nursing home residents in Denmark and the movement was brought to Scotland with funding from the Scottish Government in 2017.

“Trishaw bikes are light, battery powered, three wheeled vehicles similar to rickshaws often used in Asian countries.

“A wide seat with a low footrest allows two passengers to sit comfortably in front of the pilot (cyclist).

“The EACH bike was purchased by donations from staff and relatives and will be used for an hour a day, two or three times a week when the weather is nice.

“Marchburn team will be walking up Goatfell in Arran, October 6 to try and raise the funds to cover the cost of future maintenance of our trishaw bike - please sponsor us.

“Marchburn Ward is an Elderly Mental Health unit situated within East Ayrshire Community Hospital.

“Striving to provide Gold Standard in patient care.

“The team are extremely grateful for any donation received.”