Hailsham Care Home Team Takes On Nine Mile Walking Challenge For Resident Memorial

Five colleagues from Hailsham House in Hailsham, East Sussex, part of Aurem Care, have completed a nine-mile walking challenge to raise more than £400 for a special memorial in honour of past residents.

The walk was organised by Jade Thomas from the home’s Wellbeing Group, who was joined by fellow team members Julia, Jayne, Suse, and Amy. The group set off from Hellingly Primary School, following a scenic route through fields and woodlands towards Chiddingly.

At the halfway point, the walkers stopped at The Six Bells pub, where they met their colleague Vanda, who had hoped to take part but was unable to due to health reasons. To show her support, Vanda treated the team to well-deserved refreshments of cheesy garlic bread and cheesy chips before they continued on their way.

The return leg of the route proved more challenging, with steep inclines testing their stamina. However, spirits remained high as the group laughed, sang, and shared stories about how much their residents would have enjoyed the adventure even when navigating cattle fields and dodging daddy long legs!

After nearly six hours, including their lunch stop, the team crossed the finish line, having walked 8.67 miles in total, with four and a half hours of walking time. Their determination paid off, raising an impressive £425.

Residents at Hailsham House have since decided that the funds will go towards creating a memorial archway or pergola in the home’s garden. The structure will be a peaceful place for families and residents to gather, light candles, and hang the names of loved ones who have passed away.

“We’re incredibly proud of our team for taking on this meaningful challenge,” said Rui Santos, General Manager at Hailsham House. “Their dedication reflects the compassionate spirit of our home, and this memorial will be a beautiful way to celebrate the lives of those we’ve cared for over the years.”