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Care home residents finish 'Race Across' challenge

Indy Almroth-WrightSouth of England
Heathland House Care home residents (left to right front row) Phil Edwards, Leonard Symonds and Ann Moore, from Heathland House are posing in front of the building to show they are set to Race Across Dorset. Deputy manager Sarah Gibson Clarke is beside them. Deborah Holmes is in the back row.Heathland House
The combined ages of the residents who took part (three of whom - Phil Edwards, Leonard Symonds and Ann Moore - are pictured left to right) is 249 years

Four residents from a Dorset care home with a combined age of 249 have completed a TV-style adventure race.

The contestants from Heathland House in Ferndown, accompanied by care home assistants and family members, set off on the challenge based on the BBC series Race Across the World on Wednesday.

The care home said the four teams, who each had a set budget and time to reach a series of landmarks, "went all-in for this challenge - pushing limits, embracing the chaos, and having an absolute blast in the process".

The oldest competitor at 88, Leonard Symonds, joined by his daughter Karen Lynch, was crowned the winner with 59 points.

BBPR Leonard Symonds, 88, wearing a white t-shirt posing for a photo at the Bovington Tank Museum. He is wearing glasses and is smiling at the camera.BBPR
Just like in the TV show the race was broken into checkpoints

The other teams were Ann Moore with son Graham, Phil Edwards and friend Georgie and Gordon Love joined by family Jon and Nadia.

Reflecting on the adventure, winner Leonard said: "I had such an excellent time taking part. What a great day out.

"I especially loved the challenge at The Tank Museum. I was in the army from the age of 16 and rose to Major before leaving in 1990, so it brought back memories.

"We had to find a ring made by a tank commander for his wife out of tank debris. A brilliant challenge."

BBPR Leonard Symonds, 88, wearing a white t-shirt with a medal around his neck. He is wearing glasses and is smiling at the camera.BBPR
Race Across Dorset winner Leonard Symonds said he had "such an excellent time"

The teams had to collect video and photos at each stop including Bournemouth's Russell-Cotes Museum and Bovington's Tank Museum and complete the race within six-and-a-half hours.

Racers were limited to the use of a car for a maximum of four journeys, with bonus points for the fewer car trips taken.

Racer Gordon, 81, who lives with dementia, was accompanied by his son Jon who said: "The day created such special memories for me, spending time with my dad. Such an innovative and fun day out."

He added: "I can't thank Heathland House staff enough for all their efforts to bring quality to Dad's life in these fun and imaginative ways."

Record‑breaking adventurer Louis Alexander, who is the first person to complete seven marathons across all seven continents and swim marathon‑distance swims in all seven seas, presented Leonard with a medal and certificate.

The care home said it hoped to organise further race challenges to create "memory-making adventures" for other residents.

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