‘Flying Sam’ Takes On Bungee Jump To Raise Funds For Multi-Sensory Table At Balhousie Forth View

Staff at Balhousie Forth View Care Home have launched a fundraising appeal to buy a state-of-the-art multi-sensory table to help enhance the lives of their residents.

The appeal is being led by deputy care home manager, Samantha Beattie, who is completing a daring bungee jump in May to help the Methil-based home reach a target of £3000 to purchase the special equipment. The special sensory equipment will help to stimulate and relax residents, particularly those with dementia.

Staff are supporting Samantha’s appeal by raising money through sponsored walks, silences, car washing and various other activities, making the appeal a real team effort.

Sam will be making the big 160ft leap on Saturday, May 12, 2018 at Glasgow Riverside Museum. To donate, visit Samantha’s JustGiving page at https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/samantha-beattie-1

Affectionately known as ‘Flying Sam’ by fellow staff and residents after completing a skydive last year to raise money for a virtual reality system for the home, Samantha is hoping they can reach their new fundraising target and bring another piece of new technology which will make a significant difference to the residents. Samantha said:

“Like the virtual reality system, a new multi-sensory table will offer many benefits to residents including improved memory, mood and verbal communication.  It will be particularly beneficial to residents living with dementia who have lost the ability to communicate. It is wonderful to see people who can no longer verbalise their feelings benefitting from this kind of technology.”

Balhousie Forth View care home manager Gordon Candlish said: “Many of our residents have severe dementia and we’d do anything to try and help them. After the popularity of the virtual reality system, it is great that we, with some extra special fundraising efforts, will be able to offer another brilliant interactive experience for residents. We can’t thank Sam enough for her efforts – we wish her well on her bungee jump. Rather her than us!”

This isn’t Samantha’s first bungee jump, but she is still nervous at the prospect of making the leap. Samantha added:

“I did a bungee jump years ago and I haven’t forgotten how petrifying it was! I don’t have any hesitation doing it again to help raise money for this amazing piece of technology which is going to make a difference to the lives of our residents.”