Salisbury Care Home Breaks Fundraising Record To Help Horatio’s Garden

A Wiltshire-based national charity that transforms the lives of NHS hospital patients with spinal injuries has received a remarkable cash boost from a Salisbury nursing home.

Residents and team members at Colten Care’s Braemar Lodge set an in-house record when they raised nearly £2,830 for Horatio’s Garden.

Their campaign saw contributions collected at a summer garden party, Christmas market, pub quiz and various raffles.

Residents even made and sold items from arts and crafts sessions including greeting cards, paintings and other gift ideas.

At a presentation in the Stratford Road home, residents Dorothy Noyce, 103, and Dora Williams, 91, had the honour of handing over a cheque for £2,829.85 to Horatio’s Garden representatives.

“This is just fantastic and I can’t thank you all enough,” said Alison Pascalidis, Director of Events, Communications and Fundraising. “You have come up with all manner of lovely fundraising ideas. It’s wonderful that you chose us as your charity. We are so grateful to local fundraisers who play a huge role in helping us create and care for accessible, beautiful and therapeutic gardens at NHS hospitals for people with spinal injuries to spend time in during their long stays in hospital.”

Colten Care has a deliberate policy of enabling residents to support charities they choose.

At Braemar Lodge, there has been a particular focus on the benefits of gardens with the home’s own garden winning successive annual awards for the way residents are involved.

Jackie Cash, Clinical Lead at Braemar Lodge, said: “We have great affinity with what Horatio’s Garden is all about. Like them, we make sure our own garden is wheelchair friendly and an inspiring space to explore and enjoy whatever the season. We actively involve many of our residents in gentle gardening activities which they love.”

Following the success of a year’s fundraising for Horatio’s Garden, residents at Braemar Lodge have chosen Salisbury Hospital League of Friends as their charity for 2018.