Avery Go The Extra Mile for the CWC
This July our care homes went above and beyond to celebrate care sector workers that go the extra mile by supporting the Care Worker’s Charity (CWC). Following fundraising from a tremendous trek in Yorkshire, sponsored walks across the country and some spectacular Summer Cocktail Parties, together we have raised an incredible £6,125.81!
The CWC supports current, former and retired care sector workers (regardless of their roles) across the country who are going through tough times. Known as a ‘Rainy-Day Fund For Everyday Heroes’, the charity aims to provide support to those who find themselves facing the burden of economic hardship. With nearly 2 million UK care workers providing high levels of care, these everyday care heroes work exceptionally hard to give 100% to the residents they care for. As a result, it’s all too easy for illnesses or other unforeseen circumstances to push them into difficulty, so the charity gives a little bit of care back. As a founding supporter from 2009, Avery is right behind this very worthy charity.
On Monday 30th July, our homes organised Summer Cocktail Parties as part of the CWC’s ‘Going The Extra Mile’ event – a national day to celebrate those care workers and care teams that go the extra mile every day. Our parties were a riot of colour, fun and laughter! Some of our homes took advantage of the beautiful summer weather and undertook sponsored walks around their local area before coming back to enjoy their refreshing mocktails and cocktails (with recipes designed by our Group Culinary Manager Simon Lawrence). Other homes set up stationary bikes in their reception to work up an appetite for some tasty summer treats, and residents from Lavender Lodge even went as far as to organise a car wash! With plenty of dancing, dressing up and delicious drinks the donations were pouring in and we are thrilled that everyone had such fun participating. Together we welcomed family, friends and the local community to help fundraise for this very worthy cause, raising £3,420.81!
Here are some our favourite photos from across our care homes:
A special mention goes to Hawthorns Care Home, Aldridge, who raised a fantastic £357 for the CWC with a unique twist at their Cocktail Party. Staff from the home, including Home Manager Julie Roberts and Head Chef Martin McKee, were joined by Councillor Rose Martin, our Group Culinary Manager Simon Lawrence and our Well-being and Activities Manager Keir Pedley, who put their pedal to the metal with a specially designed juice bike – so as they peddled, their smoothie was mixed before their eyes!
The delicious and healthy drinks were really popular and included a wide range of flavours; blackberry, lime and honey spritzer; pomegranate, raspberry and lime mojito; lemon, mint and honey infusion; melon, kiwi and orange smoothie; banana yoghurt and honey smoothies; raspberry, mint and lime infusion. Avery Healthcare is on a culinary mission to focus, energise, create activity and engagement for hydration as a fundamental element to maintaining the health and well-being for our residents and staff. We support residents to be proactive about managing their health and well-being through hydration and exercise. Cycling can really contribute towards well-being, so residents who were getting involved with the smoothie bike were improving their muscle strength and joint mobility, both positive contributions to maintaining a more independent life.
Along with a sponsored walk, fresh cream cakes, raffles and a best-decorated umbrella competition, it was fantastic to see everyone come together to make the day so special.
Alex Ramamurthy, Care Workers Charity CEO stated,
I loved seeing the pictures for the Summer Cocktail Parties held across the Avery Healthcare homes. The teams did a smashing job organising the event themed around Going The Extra Mile, something that care workers do on a daily basis. Partnerships such as the one between Avery and The Care Workers Charity have meant we are ahead of our fundraising targets, enabling us to do more in helping those working in the sector who find themselves in financial difficulty.
Additionally, five intrepid walkers from both Amarna House Care Home and Avery’s Group Support Centre, undertook the CWC’s Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge in July, raising a further £2,705 for the charity.
Here is Alex receiving the cheque on behalf of the Care Workers Charity from Sharon Winfield, our Chief Operating Officer at Avery.
A huge thank you goes out to everyone who took part in our event and our local communities for supporting such a great cause. We couldn’t achieve so much for this worthy charity without your continued support and donations.
Our next Big Event Day is our Macmillan Coffee Morning – more details will be posted on our individual care homes’ Facebook pages soon. We hope to see you there!
