A COMMUNITY group has raised more than £11,600 for a care home for veterans in Solihull.
The Star and Garter home which cares for ex-servicemen and women and their partners living with disability or dementia was chosen as Shirley Ladies Circles’ charity for 2018-19 by chairperson Laura Rudge.
The ladies’ group invited bosses to a meeting to hand over the cheque.
The money was raised through events including the Shirley Beer and Cider Festival, which the group put on with Shirley Round Table.
It also raised money through a Pudding and Prosecco evening and helping with the Santa sleigh collections in December.
Ms Rudge has witnessed first-hand the care provided at the nursing home.
Three grandparents of ladies at the group lived there, while another grandparent is a member of the homes day care service, which runs on weekdays from the home.
Ms Rudge said: “The care they give is really inspirational. They treat residents with dignity and respect, and support their families too. As a club we feel really proud to raise so much money.”
Home manager Cheryl Harbourne said: “We are so grateful to Shirley Ladies Circle for this money.
“Charitable donations help us continue providing activities, outings and care to our residents.
“It was a pleasure to attend their meeting and thank them in person for their wonderful efforts over the past 12 months.”
Shirley Ladies Circle is an organisation for women aged between 18 and 45, which meets several times a month for social events, and also puts back into the community by volunteering and fundraising for local causes.
Awards ceremonies have also taken place to thank the dedicated army of volunteers who give up their time to help at nursing home in Solihull and its sister branch in Surbiton, Surrey.
Each year certificates and medals are handed out to volunteers who have completed either one, five, 10 or 20 years of voluntary work with the charity.
Ken Mackay has been coming to the Solihull Home for one year. He said: “I became a volunteer when I did because my mother was a resident here before she passed away last year. I like the people and the building, and I like what the place stands for. I find the volunteering rewarding, and it’s nice to give back a bit to the Charity.”
