Colten Care residents and staff raise record £43k for charity

Residents, families and team members at a Colten Care have raised a record £43,220 for good causes in the past year.

The amount is 29% up on Colten Care’s previous year’s charity total which itself was 43% higher than the year before.

Beneficiaries include local food banks, conservation groups, animal rescue services, healthcare and disability charities and organisations helping children and the elderly.

Kingfishers in New Milton, Hampshire, achieved the highest amount for a single home across the whole Colten Care group, £6,332.48.

From this, two main causes, New Milton Men’s Shed and New Forest Disability Information Centre, have both received £2,781 each.

Activities at Kingfishers included staging events such as a community summer fete.

Resident and fundraiser Mollie Speirs said: “I like helping people, even if it’s only doing something small.”

Woodpeckers in Brockenhurst, Hampshire, and Avon Reach in Mudeford, Dorset, also raised sums above the £3,000 mark.

The main beneficiary of help from Avon Reach was Christchurch Food Bank+ with activities in support including a cycling challenge on a static bike in the home’s foyer.

Ron Morris, one of the residents who took part, said: “It was a privilege to get in the saddle and do what we could to support this local charity.”

Thanking all at Avon Reach, Manager of Christchurch Food Bank+ Tracy Blick said: “This is an amazing amount that will help so many families in the Christchurch community.”

Woodpeckers’ main charity was The Brockenhurst Gateway club, a social club for adults with learning difficulties. Activities in support included a six-hour cardio drumming marathon and a community festival of light.

Colten Care’s group-wide total of £43,220  has benefited charities, voluntary community groups and other organisations by nearly £115,000 in the past five years.

Each of our 21 homes in Hampshire, Dorset, West Sussex and Wiltshire are encouraged to nominate a main charity every year, leaving scope for other causes to be supported too.

Colten Care’s Chief Operating Officer Elaine Farrer said: “It is always up to our residents to decide who we support.

“As well as organising cash donations and raffle prizes, our teams enable residents to do their bit through creative activities they really enjoy and that keep them fully engaged with their local communities.”