Pendle Community Hospital holds Olympic Games for patients

The team on Marsden Ward organised a week of activities, including discus and darts, designed to 'strengthen physical abilities, encourage movement and raise spirits.'

Local Paralympian Gregg Stevenson, of Foulridge, who won a gold medal in mixed double sculls rowing at the Paris Paralympic Games earlier this year, attended the event.

Mr Stevenson said: "This is exactly what I believe works.

"From being quite sedentary to being active to winning a gold medal at the Paralympics, it’s about being physically active and moving your body more and doing more.

"You want to be able to play with grandchildren, go shopping, and live independent lives and this is what these games are helping you to do."

The team on Marsden Ward organised a 'fun-filled week' of therapy-based activities for stroke patients (Image: Supplied)

Marsden Ward manager Gillian Gelder said: "The Marsden Ward Olympic Games are inspired by the Invictus Games and Paralympics.

"We thought about how we could make rehab more fun for our patients and how we could adapt games so all could be involved.

"After a stroke, a lot of our patients often feel that it’s the end of the sports, hobbies, and activities that they love.

“All the games at our event are adapted so every patient can take part.

“We audited the results from last year’s event and found that patients showed a significant increase in their wellbeing and motivation to take part in ongoing therapy which helped to speed up their recovery.

"Some patients progressed to facilitate a stand, while others took their first steps during the games.”

This is the third year the team at Marsden Ward have organised the games (Image: Supplied)

Alongside the games, the hospital also unveiled its latest piece of equipment, a Tigo Motor Rehabilitation Bike, funded by East Lancashire Hospitals Trust’s charity, ELHT&Me.

The new bike offers a way for patients to perform gentle exercises from their chairs or wheelchairs.

It is customisable and adjustable to meet unique requirements, allowing therapists to offer a personalised plan for each patient.