The Tour, which begins on 14 June 2018, sees six staff from the B. Braun team cycle from their most southerly patient in Plymouth to their most northerly in Settle. 

Raising money for PINNT, supporting people on home artificial nutrition (tube or intravenous feeding).  The team will be cycling the equivalent distance of around 14 marathons. A number of other B. Braun staff will attempt the same challenge, but on static bikes taking part virtually from the company’s HQ in Sheffield.

PINNT’s central role is to provide practical support for those living with artificial nutrition at home.  Those who require artificial nutrition may do so for a number of reasons, including not being able to eat due to illness and difficulties swallowing.  In essence their ability to absorb sufficient nourishment to surive is reduced or compromised.

Hans Hux, Chairman and Group Chief Executive at B. Braun in the UK, said: “We are extremely proud of the employees taking part in this exciting challenge.

“The Transcare team continuously strive to provide the very highest quality of care and services to improve patient’s lives at home. They regularly go the extra mile for their patients and now they will be cycling quite a few extra miles in support too!”

Carolyn Wheatley, Chair of PINNT, said: “B. Braun is a truly patient focused company to the extent of taking on this challenge to help our charity. PINNT wishes everyone taking part in Tour de Transcare the best of luck, thanks for getting on your bikes for PINNT.”

With follow-up care in a patient’s home environment an intensive and complex process, B. Braun’s Transcare Service directly helps members of PINNT access the medical, organisational and legal requirements that are needed for the provision of successful nutrition care.     

Approximately 40% of individuals admitted to hospital in the UK each year show evidence of malnutrition, with this being a costlier issue to the NHS than obesity. Malnutrition occurs when the human body uses up its natural reserves of energy and protein, but in such a situation where these resources are depleted the health consequences can be severe.

PINNT works hard to represent patient perspectives, acting as a platform to galvanise awareness of the needs of those receiving artificial nutrition at home, on both the national and international level. In doing so PINNT promotes a greater understanding of therapies between patients and professionals, acts as a communication network for patients and stimulates a more collaborative channel through which patients can harness a better and safer service.     

To keep updated on the Tour de Transcare visit B. Braun’s Twitter handle: @BBraunUK

Or alternatively to sponsor this cause visit: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Team/BBraunTourdeTransCare