WALKING boots were donned and wheelchairs MOTed ahead of a sponsored walk between two care homes in Stratford recently.
Residents and staff at Canning Court Bupa Care Home and Alveston Leys Bupa Care Home got together to walk the three and a half miles between the two homes at either ends of the town, to raise cash for Dementia UK.
And they ended up banking an impressive £800 for the charity.
The idea for the walking challenge was born after Jodie Marsh, activities co-ordinator at Canning Court, and Phil Vickers, activities co-ordinator at Alveston Leys, had a chat about how the two care homes might be able to come together and raise funds for those with dementia during Dementia Awareness Week.
They decided the sponsored walk between the two care homes would be an exciting challenge and when they asked the residents who would be interested in taking part, up stepped Brenda McKeown, 81, from Canning Court and Jean Roberts, 85, Pat Warr, 82 and Marjorie Stocks, 94, from Alveston Leys.
Ms Marsh, who joined the residents on their charity walk, said: “It was no mean feat for our residents to travel three and a half miles. We started at Alveston Leys and stopped off for a short break at the midway point, so the residents could enjoy the river-side views and get to know each other. We then continued to Canning Court, where we were met with a wonderful celebratory afternoon tea, complete with homemade scones and cakes and copious cups of tea”.
The team’s fundraising efforts saw them raise £400 for Dementia UK, an amount which was matched by Bupa, raising the total donation to £800.
Mrs Stocks, a former English teacher, told the Observer: “We are so proud that we managed to raise money for Dementia UK. It was the perfect challenge for me because, at 94, I still love keeping fit and walking lots.”
While Emily Payne, a Senior Care Assistant at Canning Court, added: “We are so proud of our residents and staff for their fundraising efforts. Dementia UK is a fantastic charity, so we are thrilled that Bupa has matched our total and we hope the money we have raised will make a big difference.”
