A CYCLING group slipped into gear last week as they departed from Bowness-on-Solway on a 100-mile coast-to-coast ‘Route 72’ bike ride to South Shields to raise awareness for organ donation. 

The Electric Cranks, made up of seven gents aged between 50 and 70 with advanced heart failure, nearly all have been fitted with Left Ventricular Assist Devices (LVADs) at Wythenshawe Hospital Heart and Lung Transplant Centre, where the group first came together several years ago.

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Bob Gower, from Blackburn, who co-founded The Electric Cranks, said: “The finish line was no mean feat, and we’re thankful to all those who supported us from the start, and to those who rode alongside us throughout our journey. 

"We set out to show you can still enjoy life after heart failure and the route we chose would be a test for anyone. But thanks to the latest developments in intervention technology, supporting those waiting for organ donation, we’re thrilled to have been part of the same race," he said. 

Created by global healthcare company Abbott, the HeartMate 3 heart pump which is fitted in all but one of The Electric Cranks members has been clinically-proven to improve quality of life outcomes in thousands of advanced heart failure patients around the world. 

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