Care Homes’ Totaliser Tops £2,000 For Children In Need

South Coast operator Colten Care has done its bit for Children in Need by raising more than £2,000.

Activities managers totted up the total following sponsored events held in 16 individual homes during the BBC’s annual fundraising appeal.

The home that raised the most in the group, Avon Reach in Mudeford, Dorset, auctioned gifts donated by residents, relatives and friends, collecting £716.

Avon Reach Activities Organiser Sandra Boulton said: “We allowed a couple of hours for viewing and then invited bids on paper or in person. People were very generous, often paying over the odds.”

At Amberwood House in Ferndown, staff came to work in their onesies while at Kingfishers in New Milton, resident Jack Tolson was sponsored to paint faces. His subjects included Senior Care Assistant Fay Suenfa, waitress Lily John and receptionist Lisa Jones.

Other homes saw fancy dress events, craft sales and staff wearing pyjamas and polka dot combinations inspired by official appeal mascot Pudsey Bear. The full amount raised was £2,063.38.

Amberwood House Activity Organiser Jan Burns said: “Lots of our residents and colleagues dressed up and really enjoyed themselves. It was a great chance for everyone to join in and support such a worthy cause.”

This year’s BBC Children in Need appeal raised a record £32.6 million nationally. The money goes towards helping disadvantaged children and young people across the UK.