On Saturday 14 July, Care for Veterans opened its doors for its annual Summer Fayre, as it has done for many decades.
Despite the World Cup, Wimbledon, and Worthing Pride all being on at the same time, hundreds of visitors came to support the day and a fabulous £7,390 was raised for the charity! Guests enjoyed live performances by the Care for Veterans Choir, the Wonder Girls Pom Pom Troupe, line dancers and the Bubble Man, and also had their photographs taken with Storm Troopers from the Iconic Legion and viewed the amazing motorbikes on show from Raevens Motorcycle Club and Sussex Military Classic bikes.
The highlight of the day was the performance by the 1066 Pipes and Drums and the Eastbourne Scottish Pipe Band, who marched down Boundary Road in their eye-catching kilts and entered Care for Veterans via the main gate as all the visitors gathered to watch.
Adam the Magician wowed kids and their parents with his entertaining magic show, soldiers from the 12th Regiment Royal Artillery at Thorney Island displayed equipment and weaponry, and the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Worthing both attended with announcements made throughout the day by the Town Crier Bob Smytherman.
Event organiser, Christine Gillott, said: “The Summer Fayre is a chance for us to invite the community in and show off our facilities, as well as raising vital funds so that we can continue to care for our veterans.
“I’d like to thank everyone who came along to the fayre, and special thanks to all the stallholders, sponsors, entertainers, volunteers, Care for Veterans’ residents and staff for helping make the day a huge success. The £7,390 will be very well spent on the veterans in our care.”
The Summer Fayre is held to raise money for the Worthing-based charity, which provides residential nursing care, rehabilitation, respite and end of life care to physically disabled ex-Service personnel and their families. Next year the charity will celebrate its centenary, so the 2019 Summer Fayre promises to be bigger and better than ever.
NOTES TO EDITOR:
About Care for Veterans
Care for Veterans (formerly The Queen Alexandra Hospital Home) was established in 1919 – the charity celebrates its 99th anniversary this year (2018).
Care for Veterans is a registered charity, providing care and rehabilitation for physically disabled ex-Service personnel and their families. Our residents’ needs are complex and many have multiple disabilities. Many have an Acquired Brain Injury and some have neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s or Multiple Sclerosis. Others are paralysed or do not have use of their limbs and some are terminally ill. We support on average 140 residents a year.
We care for up to 60 residents at any one time.
Our residents are aged between 33 and 99.
Our residents represent the tri-services: Royal Navy, Army and RAF.
Services at Care for Veterans include nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, an active social and recreation department, rehabilitation kitchen, a chaplaincy service, counselling, IT facilities, a rehabilitation garden, sensory room, coffee shop and function room and regular outings on our specially adapted coach.
With no regular government funding, Care for Veterans must raise over £1.9 million each year to maintain its nursing and rehabilitation services for ex-Servicemen and women.
Care for Veterans
Gifford House, Boundary Road, Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 4LJ
Telephone 01903 218444
www.careforveterans.org.uk
fundraising@careforveterans.org.uk
Registered Charity No: 1072334
