Introduction
Welcome to the spring newsletter of Families Supporting Care. The Charity – which was formed in 2011 – aims to help support residents whose funds have diminished and might otherwise have to move out of the environment to which they have become accustomed. Since its formation, the charity has helped over 60 people. More information about funding and how to donate to the Charity are on the second page of this newsletter.
News and Events
Since the winter newsletter was published in January 2025 FSC has raised more than £1500 through the bingo event held at Woodlands, the quiz night at Hill House on 8th April and contributions into the bistro collection boxes at the four homes as well as a legacy donation. The Charity is currently supporting two residents and has also contributed to the cost of a new wheelchair for one resident.
Come and Join Us: A Message from our Secretary: Make New Friends and Influence Events
The FSC Charity is run by a board of Trustees that meet on a quarterly basis for approximately one to two hours. We help with the fundraising to enable the Charity to support our residents. I have been on the board for 12 years since my father was one of the very first residents in Hill House and I regard it as a privilege to be able to help those in need. It’s important for the Board to have the widest possible experience if the Charity is to progress with the times. Recently, two trustee departures – not because of the amount of work I hasten to add – mean that we are especially keen to meet people who would be interested in joining us and provide fresh perspectives.
We’re a friendly crowd so please feel free to give me a call on 07717887487 for a chat when I can outline what’s involved; it might be just the sort of voluntary work you’re looking for. For those younger people being a trustee can add much to a CV of course.
My name is Helen Gould , Trustee and Secretary to the Trustees. I look forward to hearing from you.
Fundraising Events
The next quiz night will be held at Woodlands on Tuesday 15th July at 7pm. A bingo event is also being arranged – date and venue to be announced soon. The Charity will also run raffles at some of the barbecue and garden parties planned for homes during the summer. We’re looking for raffle prizes so, if anyone would like to donate something, please leave items with any of the homes’ receptionists for us to collect.
We have three rather more exciting fundraisers to announce. First, is that we have partnered with goskydive.com and set a provisional date of Saturday 9th August for anyone who fancies the thrill of jumping out of an aircraft in tandem with a professional parachutist in return for sponsorship of the Charity. Information about the discounted cost and how to register are on the poster reproduced at the end of this newsletter and on our web site.
Second, Irene Wilson is running the 10k Serpent Trail on Saturday 5th July in support of the Charity. It starts in Petersfield and takes in parts of the South Downs. There is a dedicated Just Giving link at: https://www.justgiving.com/page/irene-wilson-6 for anyone who would like to donate in recognition of Irene’s efforts.
Third, Anna Martinez is running the Richmond Ultra Marathon on Sunday 10th August and intends to use the opportunity to raise funds for the Charity. Once again, there is a dedicated link for contributions at: https://www.justgiving.com/page/anna-martinez-1. The event starts at Kingston-upon-Thames and follows the river to finish at the Thames Barrier – a distance of 53 km, or 33 miles in old speak. Best wishes to Anna for that challenge.
Finally, our fundraising portfolio continues to include www.givinglottery.org.uk. This allows anyone interested in a monthly flutter the opportunity to support Families Supporting Care who will receive 40% of subscriptions. The site also includes regular “Super Draw” the latest of which [a luxury city break or £1000 cash] is open for entries until 26th April 2025. You can play by going to the site above and searching for “Care Home Residents” or through the link at: www.familiessupportingcare.org.
The Importance of Donations
Apart from fundraising events, donations from residents’ families are an essential source of income for the Charity. One very visible means is the collection box alongside each of the“Bistro” counters at the homes where tea, coffee, soft drinks along with cakes and biscuits are provided for visitors and residents. If visitors don’t have any cash with them, each poster and box has our “Just Giving” QR code (reproduced below) so there’s no excuse for missing the opportunity to help us. Additionally, ad hoc contributions are always welcome – for example, legacy donations. Information about the options available can be obtained from any of the trustees.
Donations can of course be augmented through the use of Gift Aid where individuals qualify to make use of that facility. Specifically, each donation gift-aided means an extra 25% can be claimed back from HMRC. Contributors can also be made using the Charity’s “Just Giving” page (ideally with gift aid) at: https://familiessupportingcare.org. Unfortunately, Gift Aid does not supply us with details of individual donations. However, we are grateful to everyone who donates even when we are unable to acknowledge all of them with our usual letter of thanks.
Trustees and Further Information
The Charity is managed by the following trustees who can be contacted through the main Woodlands-Hillbrow reception desk or via email using the address below.
- Elizabeth Butt – Chair
- Helen Gould – Secretary
- Andrew Day – Treasurer
- Derek Dunthorne – Newsletter Editor
- Michael Ferguson
- David Maxted
- Irene Wilson
More information about the Charity can be found at: www.familiessupportingcare.org.
Emails can be sent to: info@familiessupportingcare.org.
Social media presence is at: facebook.com/FamiliesSupportingCare. A leaflet is also available at the Woodlands, Hillbrow, Hillhouse and Farnham Mill care homes.
Dates For Diary
- Quiz night at Woodlands – Tuesday 15th July at 7.00pm
- Bingo – To be decided
- Irene’s Serpent Trail 10k – Saturday 5th July
- Sky Dive at Old Sarum Airfield, Salisbury – Saturday 9th August
- Anna’s Ultra Marathon – Sunday 10th August.
Charity Tandem Sky Dive at Old Sarum Airfield, Salisbury
Saturday 9th August 2025
Ready to take the plunge for a great cause? Families Supporting Care is partnering with expert organiser goskydive.com to provide an opportunity for anyone who fancies a tandem sky dive to do so at a discounted rate in return for sponsorship in favour of the Charity.
We have 4 places available for the event which will take place on 9th August at Old Sarum Airfield, Salisbury. More spaces can be available if demand is greater of course. And if you cannot make that date, you can choose another that suits better.
The cost will be £234 per person for a 10,000 feet tandem dive. But the exciting part is that if you raise £550 the Charity will refund the cost of the jump. You can reserve a space for £100 and pay the balance just before the event. So, rally your mates, smash your target and tick sky diving off your bucket list, all while making a real difference to the Charity.
See: https://www.goskydive.com/charity/families-supporting-care/ for more information and how to register.
Families Supporting Care, April 2025