Fern Brook Lodge presents over £1,000 to Teddy 20

Residents and staff at a Gillingham care home have presented over £1,000 to a Dorset-based children’s cancer charity.

The team at Fern Brook Lodge care home, which is run by not-for-profit charity Care South, welcomed the team from Teddy 20 for mulled wine, mince pies and festive fun as they were presented with a cheque for £1,046. The Teddy 20 team were also joined by Father Christmas for the visit, which delighted and entertained the home’s residents.

Fern Brook Lodge residents and staff have been fundraising for Teddy 20, which provides emotional and financial support to children and young people going through treatment for cancer and their families.

The care home, on Fern Brook Lane, has held a range of fundraising activities for the worthy cause over the past two years. This included a range of community initiatives including hosting a static cycle in the home’s reception area, which saw the team pedal over 90 miles in a day, along with summer fayres and raffles.

Sara Maynard, Home Manager at Fern Brook Lodge care home, said: “Our residents and team have had a fantastic time fundraising for Teddy 20, a cause which provides valuable support to children and young people going through cancer treatment. At Care South, we are proud to support and work with our local community and love welcoming them into the home and help them to share in the warm and friendly atmosphere that our residents enjoy.”

Teddy 20 was created in memory of a Blandford boy, Ted Newton, who died aged just 10 following a battle with bone cancer. In his honour, the Newton family have fundraised tirelessly to create ‘Ted’s Shack’, a caravan retreat where children with cancer and their families can enjoy a respite break away from the harsh realities of living with cancer.

Owen Newton, Founder of Teddy 20, said: “We are incredibly grateful to the residents, their loved ones and the team at Fern Brook Lodge who have completed a wide range of fundraising challenges in support of Teddy 20. We would also like to extend our thanks to the Gillingham community who have generously donated towards Fern Brook Lodge’s mission to raise as much money as possible for us. Every contribution helps us continue our work supporting children and families facing the challenges of cancer.”

Fern Brook Lodge provides residential, respite and dementia care. A dedicated activities team organises a daily programme of events to bring residents together to socialise and build friendships. Visitors can enjoy complimentary cakes and hot drinks while experiencing the warm and friendly atmosphere at the home’s Welcome Wednesdays drop-in sessions which run from 2pm to 4pm each week.

Fern Brook Lodge also hosts Memory Café sessions every Thursday morning from 10am to 12pm for people living with dementia and their carers. There is no need to book - just drop in on the day.

click here for more details or to contact Fern Brook Lodge