Care Home Residents And Staff Raise £3,400 For Children’s Hospice Charity

Fetes, fitness classes and fundraising walkabouts all boosted a care home’s year of support for a children’s hospice charity.

Residents, families, staff and friends of Colten Care’s Kingfishers in New Milton, Hampshire, raised £3,400 for Julia’s House through their efforts.

Collections were made at activities including an open garden day at the home, summer and Christmas fetes, a Zumba aerobic fitness programme and community events at Easter and Valentine’s.

One resident, Mollie, even went out and about to promote the home’s fundraising on personal visits to around 50 shops and businesses.

She said: “I asked people to support our events through vouchers or donations. I was never rebuffed. It was great, I enjoyed it tremendously and would do it again.”

Mollie, who was accompanied on her neighbourhood calls by team member Tracy McCallum, Customer Support Advisor, added: “I like helping people, even if it’s only doing something small.

“I must have confidence in what I am supporting and this was for childcare, so a good cause.”

To round off the year of fundraising, Kingfishers held a party at which Julia’s House Community Fundraiser Amanda Gillett was presented with a cheque for £3,396.59.

Speaking to an audience of residents and staff, Amanda said: “We care for children with life threatening and life limiting conditions and provide ongoing support for their families including respite.

“Only eight per cent of our income is government funded, so for our vital services to keep running, support from the local community is essential to help us to continue to provide our lifeline of care to the most vulnerable children and families in our local community.

“The money from Kingfishers will make a huge difference to the children and families we support. A massive thank you from everyone at Julia’s House for choosing us as your charity and for all the hard work you have put in.”

All 21 Colten Care homes have a policy of enabling residents to choose charities to support each year.

Kingfishers’ main nominated charities for 2024-25 are New Milton Men’s Shed and New Forest Disability Information Service.

Kingfishers is officially rated an Outstanding care home by sector regulator the Care Quality Commission.