Introduction
Welcome to the summer 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 last newsletter in April 2025 FSC has raised around £3000 through a number of events including quizzes, raffles at home barbecues, contributions in the bistro collection boxes at the four homes as well as a generous donation in memory of a recent resident. We are also expecting significant contributions from the two incredible fundraising challenges shown below. Details of the eventual outcome will be in our next, autumn newsletter. The Charity continues to support two residents.
Fundraising – Donations Invited for Breathtaking Challenges
As signalled above, there are some exciting opportunities coming for folk to sponsor brave souls undertaking daunting challenges in support of the Charity. First, on Saturday 9th August at Old Sarum Airfield, Salisbury, Harry and Matt will be sky-diving – i.e. jumping out of a perfectly good aircraft at 10,000 feet – to raise money for Families Supporting Care. The QR code for donations is here for anyone keen to support the intrepid lads.
Second, on Sunday 10th August, Anna Martinez will be undertaking an aultra marathon along the River Thames from Kingston Upon Thames to the Thames Barrier – a distance of 53 km or 33 miles in old speak – again in support of the Charity. The QR code for donations is here if you’d like to support what promises to be a herculean effort by Anna.
For future events, we are also 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.
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 a regular “Super Draw” that’s always worth considering. 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 every 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. We are very grateful for all monies received, whatever the source. Our QR code for donations is below.
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. We have recently welcomed Paul Mannering to our select band. If any reader would like to join us, please get in touch with the secretary or chairman at the email address below or ask any of the home receptionists to pass on your details to us.
Elizabeth Butt – Honorary President
Derek Dunthorne – Chairman
Helen Gould – Secretary
Andrew Day – Treasurer
Michael Ferguson
Paul Mannering
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
Harry’s and Matt’s Sky Dive:
Saturday 9th August
Anna’s Ultra Marathon:
Sunday 10th August
Bingo at Hill House:
Tuesday 9th September at 7pm.
Quiz at Farnham Mill:
Tuesday 28th October at 7pm.
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