Residents Wow Their Care Home Team in Rowing Challenge for Comic Relief

18 March 2024 – 80 year-old Valerie Haynes and 77 year-old Claude Vidal, residents at Netley Court care home in Southampton, wowed their care home team when joining them in a rowing challenge to raise funds for Comic Relief.

Along with 11 staff members and one family member, they collectively rowed a staggering 51,229m on a rowing machine, raising £427.

The care home team initially set out to row the distance from Netley Court to the Isle of Wight and back again (26,782m) but everyone taking part was having so much fun that they overachieved their target by almost double!

Sarah Gillett, Home Admission Advisor, Netley Court explained, “We started rowing at 9.30am and between us, kept going until 4.30pm – we smashed our target within 4.5 hours! It was a fantastic team effort.

"Valerie, who has Parkinson’s was adamant that she wanted take part as she said all her strength was in her arms. She impressed us all with her 500m row! Claude rowed 500m and then couldn’t wait to get back on for another 500m stint. In fact, I think he’d still be there now if we hadn’t insisted he have a rest!

“A huge thanks to Netley Court’s wonderful team members, family member and residents for taking part in our rowing challenge. We all had such a fun day and it was great to raise funds for such an amazing cause!”.

Valerie Haynes said, “I was surprised when I heard that I’d managed to row 500m. Not bad for someone with Parkinson’s.”

Claude Vidal added, “I loved taking part. It was great fun, great fitness and a great cause. We are very grateful to everyone who donated.”

click here for more details or to contact Netley Court Care Home