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Day centre users go full throttle and ‘pimp’ rides

CUSTOMISING scooters, creating flamboyant walking sticks and general ‘ride pimping’ has been keeping visitors busy at the Russels Day Centre.

Picture supplied by Russels Day Centre. 31-10-19.  Members of the Russels Day Centre have been taking part in a 'pimp my ride' style theme.  Decorating their wheelchairs, walking aids etc. Biker Babes, L-R Ruth Blanchard and Pearl Regan. (26220463)
Picture supplied by Russels Day Centre. 31-10-19. Members of the Russels Day Centre have been taking part in a 'pimp my ride' style theme. Decorating their wheelchairs, walking aids etc. Biker Babes, L-R Ruth Blanchard and Pearl Regan. (26220463) / Guernsey Press

Throughout the year, centre manager Denise Cohu organises a theme for users and sets them some tasks over the course of a week – this time around it was Pimp My Ride.

Ms Cohu put an appeal out to the Harley Davidson owners’ club asking for some ‘biker’ clothing and memorabilia for the visitors to try on, sweeping them back to the motorcycles of yesteryear.

Robert Steen, of the club, duly obliged: ‘I gathered some friends together and we collected some bits of gear for the people up here to look at and try on. It is a very good cause and you just see how much they enjoyed the week. It is definitely something we would look at doing again and we will keep in touch, that’s for sure.’

The biker week consisted of a challenge to create the best custom job of either a mobility scooter or walking aid.

Then there were a number of motorcycle-themed quizzes and some dressing up for the day centre visitors, all of which went down a treat.

Picture by Sophie Rabey.  31-10-19.  Members of the Russels Day Centre have been taking part in a 'pimp my ride' style theme.  Decorating their wheelchairs, walking aids etc.  Audrey hardwick. (26219865)
Picture by Sophie Rabey. 31-10-19. Members of the Russels Day Centre have been taking part in a 'pimp my ride' style theme. Decorating their wheelchairs, walking aids etc. Audrey hardwick. (26219865) / Guernsey Press

‘I was so surprised with the knowledge that so many of the visitors have about motorcycles, especially the women. Everyone can remember someone’s brother, uncle or dad that rode this or that. I suppose back in the day before the motor car took hold lots of people had motorcycles for transport,’ said Ms Cohu.

‘The help from the Harley club has been amazing and we have well over 70 items of clothing from them, which everyone has loved to try on and look at. It is really good to do these themed events, it helps their focus and is really good for morale both for users and staff.

‘We will be going quiet in the lead-up to Christmas now, but expect there to be much more in the new year.’

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