Churchfields Care Home owners cycle to Paris
Owners of Churchfields Care Home have raised money for Bloodwise, a charity who funds world-class research in blood cancer, by cycling the 500km from London to Paris as their supportive residents watched on. Jane and Gerry Roberts, embarked on their recent journey, departing from London as they biked their way towards Paris, travelling via Folkestone, where they made the voyage across the channel. They then made their way to Abbeville, Beauvais, and finally on to Paris, with the ride taking four days. As the duo continued on their journey, residents at the home kept track of their progress, using a board to monitor their locations. Each day, Gerry and Jane would send new photographs of different landmark’s they’d reached, giving the Churchfields community an opportunity to share in the experience. Jane and Gerry, with friends, helped raise a staggering £15,000. Jane Roberts commented; “We care for so many people who have been, or are currently battling different forms of cancer. It was wonderful to have the opportunity to raise the profile of this incredibly important charity and to help contribute donations towards much needed and ongoing research.” Continuing, she added; “The support of our residents has been incredibly important to both Gerry and I, and has been a strong source of inspiration through the more challenging sections of the ride. We’re glad it’s also given them a fantastic chance to relive some of their fondest memories, and for others, a chance to see parts of the world they’ve never had a glimpse of before.” The event as a whole featured 160 riders, all raising a grand total of £500,000 for blood cancer research. Cancer of the blood is the 3rdbiggest ‘cancer killer’ and is the 5thmost common amongst cancer sufferers making research into the disease all the more important. To find out more about Bloodwise or to donate, please visit: https://bloodwise.org.uk/ For more information on Churchfields Care Home, or to arrange a time to look around the home, please call 01865 88140 or visit http://churchfieldscarehome.co.uk/.
Gangsta Grannies raise £1,200 for local hospice
A team from leading mobility and home healthcare equipment supplier Clearwell Mobility, took part in the annual Dragon Boat Festival dressed as Gangsta Grannies to raise money for charity on Sunday September 8. The entertaining event at Tilgate Park was the 17th dragon boat festival in aid of St Catherine’s Hospice, which helps support terminally ill people in West Sussex and East Surrey. A dragon boat is a boat of a traditional Chinese design and decorated to look like a dragon. The Clearwell Mobility team set themselves a fundraising target of £1,000 which had already been exceeded before the race. This was through sponsorship pledges and a staff raffle, with the chance to win an extra day’s holiday, causing much excitement from the staff and netting £300. This year saw 34 teams race across Tilgate Park in a bid to win the Dragon Boat Festival Crown, with Clearwell Mobility taking part in three races against other local businesses. Duncan Gillett, Clearwell Mobility’s managing director, said: “We had a great day at the festival, meeting the other teams and people linked to St Catherine’s Hospice. The staff there provide a fantastic service to those in difficult circumstances and have touched the lives of many families locally and further afield. “We may have not won the race, but we were keen to help raise donations and so far, we’ve raised more than £1,200. It’s not too late to sponsor us if you’d like to show your support. Visit justgiving.com and search for Clearwell Mobility Ltd.” Clearwell Mobility’s fancy dress theme came with inspiration from a David Walliams’ 2011 book called Gansta Granny, which saw the team dressed in wigs, thief masks and pearl necklaces.
Healthcare staff tackle Great North Run on behalf of local hospice
Kind-hearted healthcare professionals from Nuffield Health Newcastle Hospital will complete the forthcoming Great North Run in aid of local charity St Oswald’s Hospice. Gemma McGlen, Supplies Lead at Nuffield Newcastle, will run her 4th GNR alongside 9 of her colleagues. The group are running to raise funds and awareness for St Oswald’s Hospice, a specialist palliative care provider for babies, children, young people and adults living with life limiting illnesses and their families. Gemma, who organised the team run, suggested fundraising for the hospice as they recently supported her colleague and close friend. Gemma said: “My friend recently lost a family member who was cared for at St Oswald’s. They were understandably devastated, but felt the hospice went the extra mile to ensure their loved one was comfortable and cared for with compassion, dignity and respect. “Alongside the amazing care they provide, St Oswald’s also offered bereavement support and one on one therapy. My friend really benefitted from both services, it helped them feel less alone during such a difficult time. “Between 2017 and 2018 the hospice cared for 2,249 babies, children, young people and adults. It’s important that St Oswald’s receives support, so they can continue to offer their life changing services to the residents of the North East.” The Nuffield Health Great North Run team is made up of colleagues, Gemma McGlen, Joanne Sterry, Jonathan Sterry, Bryn Scott, Georgia Little, Derek Thompson, Phil Middleton, Leonie Morton, Graeme Whyman, Louise Johnson and Lyndsay Johnson. The team have set a fundraising target of £3000, which they’re close to achieving due to ongoing fundraising efforts such as coffee and cake sales, raffles and a quiz. They hope to make even more for the hospice through their Just Giving page which will remain live for a short period of time after the run. Emily Corney, Fundraiser at St Oswald’s Hospice said: “We can’t thank the staff at Nuffield Health enough, the Great North Run is a monumental challenge which thousands of people take part in each year to raise money for charity. St Oswald’s needs to make £7.5m a year through charitable giving to keep providing support for the people of the North East. It’s events like the GNR and the Nuffield Health runners that help us to do this. “We’ll be there at the end of the run in our big charity tent, there’ll be lots of support for our brave runners completing the route. I also think Nuffield have the biggest team of 10 so we’ll be counting everyone in as they arrive. We can’t wait for the big day.” Staff at Nuffield Health Newcastle regularly support local charities throughout the year. To find out more about their fundraising and to donate visit: www.justgiving.com/companyteams/Nuffield2019.
Orchard Care Homes take on Mount Snowdon
Employees from Orchard Care Homes, one of the UK’s leading care providers for the elderly, have gone above and beyond to raise money for a leading industry charity by climbing the highest mountain in Wales. Last month, an intrepid team of twenty staff took on the challenge of climbing Mount Snowdon by night! At 1,085 metres above sea level and located in Snowdonia National Park, it was truly a daunting proposition and one that the Support Centre and field-based staff took on with anticipation. The team were raising money and awareness for the Care Workers Charity, an organisation that supports the basic welfare of current and former retired care workers. As a vulnerable workforce, when life takes a turn for the worse, the Care Workers Charity provides the support needed to weather the storm. With figures indicating that by 2025 one million people in the UK will be suffering from the effects of dementia and this number predicted to rise to 1,700,000 by 2051, the Orchard Care Home team wanted to highlight the importance that carers receive the support they need. The team trekked through cold temperatures, wind, rain and fog and completed their journey in around four and a half hours, which is an astounding achievement, and raised an impressive £6,600 for the efforts. Tom Brookes, CEO at Orchard Care Homes, led the expedition. After reaching the summit, he said; “I am so proud of the team, everyone was supporting each other to keep going, new friendships were built and most importantly, we raised money for a very important cause – the Carers Charity.” Despite their exhaustion, the brave team laughed and joked as they were given a true hero’s welcome back at the company’s Support Centre in Harrogate, where they were greeted by a surprise welcoming committee complete with decorations, food and drinks. Jennie Gaunt, Business Support Coordinators, shared her thoughts after the climb. “We spent lots of time together, sharing thoughts and personal goals, and I felt truly part of an amazing, supportive, family-friendly and motivated team. The welcoming committee was a great surprise as well and incredibly appreciated.”
Lacey Turner joins in for Alzheimer’s Society’s Cupcake Day 2019
Dust off your baking bowls and whip out your whisks, Alzheimer’s Society’s Cupcake Day is back on Thursday 13 June. Actress and Alzheimer’s Society supporter, Lacey Turner, is urging everyone to unite against dementia with their families, friends and colleagues, by baking or buying cupcakes to raise vital funds. Being close to friends and colleagues affected by dementia, Lacey Turner is now supporting the cause, having taken part in a Cupcake Day tasting event last year. Speaking about supporting Cupcake Day, Lacey said: “After tasting lots of treats last year, I’m so happy to be taking part in Alzheimer’s Society’s Cupcake Day again,” said Lacey. “Cupcake Day is not just for the pros, I didn’t do any baking last year- I can only make toast! You can bake, bring or buy, but what’s important is that we all unite together to help beat dementia. “Every three minutes someone in the UK develops dementia but each cupcake sold will help get us a step closer to finding a cure. That’s why I’m calling on all the bakers and fakers to join me; it’s time to get to work! You can sign up for a free fundraising kit at cupcakeday.org.uk.” Research will beat dementia, but we need more funding to find a cure. There hasn’t been a new drug for dementia in 15 years – but since 2013, the number of clinical trials for Alzheimer’s drugs has doubled, and Alzheimer’s Society is investing in, and accelerating, dementia research, having committed to spending at least £150m in the next decade. With 850,000 people in the UK having dementia, we owe better knowledge of the condition to everyone affected, so that they can live better. It is only through research that we can understand what causes dementia, develop effective treatments, improve care and one day find a cure. Sue Clarke, Alzheimer’s Society operations manager for Alzheimer’s Society in Greater Manchester, said: “We’re all delighted that Lacey is supporting us for Cupcake Day. It’s great to see how attending a Cupcake Day event last year has inspired Lacey to get more involved in the fun this year. “Dementia is now the UK’s biggest killer. Each cupcake will help us find a cure, improve care and offer help and understanding for people affected. Events such as Cupcake Day make it easy for everyone to get involved, and raise awareness of the important work we do to support people with dementia.” Now in its fourth year, Cupcake Day has raised £2.7 million since 2016. Last year more than 3,873 baking pros, impatient icers, first-timers and late night whiskers from the North West united together against dementia for Cupcake Day. This June, Alzheimer’s Society is encouraging everyone to bake, bring or buy, to raise more than ever before to help beat dementia. In just the average time it takes to bake a batch of cakes, six people will develop dementia in the UK. Whether you choose to host your own event for Cupcake Day on 13 June or mark the occasion another time in the month, there are no excuses not to get involved. Visit cupcakeday.org.uk to sign up today!
Daredevil nurses zip line for children’s hospice
A DAREDEVIL 70-year-old nurse will take on three zip lining challenges in just two hours to raise funds for a children’s hospice. Sue Shooter will soar over Penrhyn Quarry, in Wales, for a total of nearly 2km in aid of Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice, in Huddersfield. The Registered General Nurse (RGN) at Aden House Care Home, in Clayton West, will cover the distance by flying down three zip wires in “Europe’s largest zip zone”. Sue decided to take on the Zip World Titan challenge after her 70th birthday. She will be joined experience by fellow RGN Julia Woodhead. Sue said: “People were asking me what I would like for a present and there’s nothing I really need at my age. “So I decided to raise money for the children’s hospice and do something a little daring at the same time. “I chose Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice in memory of my late husband, Vernon, who passed away in August 2017. “It was Vernon’s last wish to donate money from his funeral to a local children’s charity and, as I don’t need any presents, I asked for donations to go to the hospice.” Julie Eveleigh, interim home manager at Aden House Care Home, said: “Everyone at Aden House, including staff and residents, are so proud of Sue and Julia for taking on the challenge. “Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice provides a vital service for so many children and families in the area and we’re sure the money they raise will go along way to supporting that work.” The event takes place on Saturday, 13th April. Anyone wishing to sponsor Sue and Julia should visit their fundraising website
Care home staff pack shopping for children’s cancer charity
GENEROUS shoppers have donated hundreds of pounds to children’s cancer charity CLIC Sargent after care home workers helped pack their bags. Staff from several Huddersfield care homes spent their day off helping at the checkouts at Morrisons, on Penistone Road. In just four hours packing customers’ shopping, they raised a total of £324.27 for CLIC Sargent, which provides financial and specialist support for young people and their families affected by cancer. The team from Aden Court, Aden House, Aden Lodge, Aden Mount and Aden View care homes, all operated by the Hill Care Group, are now aiming to repeat the fundraising activity. They plan on spending a full day at the supermarket to raise £1,000 for the charity. Liz Daykin, customer relations manager for the Hill Care Group, said: “CLIC Sargent provides a vital service to young people affected by cancer and we wanted to do our bit to support their work. “A massive thank you to Morrisons for hosting us and the generous customers who donated to such a worthy cause. “We are now planning on repeating the charity bag pack but with a much bigger goal of raising £1,000. Any and all support is greatly appreciated.” The Hill Care Group operates care homes across the north of England. For further information visit www.hillcare.net. CLIC Sargent is the UK’s leading cancer charity for children, young people and their families. For further information visit www.clicsargent.org.uk.
Hospital tombola helps care home raise funds for charity
CARE home staff are continuing to raise hundreds of pounds for stroke survivors and their families – as part of a year-long fundraising campaign. A tombola at the University Hospital of North Tees was run by staff from The Beeches Care Home, on Green Lane, Stockton-on-Tees. Deputy manager Rachel Harris and activities coordinator Jess Roth manned the stand, selling tickets and giving away prizes including scented candles and toiletries. Alongside a coffee morning at the home, this has added another £97 to the £660 total the home has already raised for the Stroke Association throughout last year. Previous events included a supermarket bag pack, cake sale and sponsored walk. Rachel said: “We’d like to thank North Tees Hospital for allowing us to run our tombola for the Stroke Association. “We had a lot of interested and raised a good amount of money for the charity. Thank you to everyone who bought a ticket and congratulations to the lucky prize winners.” The Beeches Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
Supermarket bag pack raises funds for care home flower beds
CARERS have been packing shopping bags to buy elderly residents raised flower beds for their care home’s garden. Staff and family members from Willowdene Care Home, on Victoria Road West, Hebburn, spent the day at Morrisons helping shoppers with their packing. The supermarket’s generous customers donated £477.61 on the day, taking the home’s total to £1,482.61 of their £3,000 target so far. They are aiming to create a sensory garden with the funds, including raised flower beds and a potting shed. Michael Beaney, home manager at Willowdene Care Home, said: “We have many keen gardeners living at the home and they’re looking forward to planting during the warmer months. “Many of them can’t bend down to the ground, however, so raised flower beds allow them to get involved while stood or seated. “We’ve raised almost half of the funds needed so far, with the latest fundraiser being the supermarket bag pack at Morrisons. “A massive thank you to the staff and family members who gave up their time to help out. And also thank you to Morrisons for hosting us and the customers who donated.” Willowdene is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
