On Saturday 9 November, a special event was held at Arundel Castle as part of Worthing charity, Care for Veterans’, centenary year.
‘A Century in Music, Prose and Poetry’ was organised by the charity to celebrate 100 years of providing care to our nation’s veterans, often at a time when they are facing the toughest battle of their lives. Guests at the event journeyed, decade by decade, through the last century, highlighting major events for both the country and the charity, with each decade being celebrated in either music, prose or poetry.
Celebrity guests, who read the prose and poetry, included James Bolam, Susan Jameson, Tim Wonnacott, Christopher Timothy and Nicholas Witchell, along with High Sheriff of West Sussex, Davina Irwin-Clark, Dame Vera Lynn’s daughter, Virginia Lewis-Jones, and Care for Veterans’ Chairman, Commodore James Fanshawe CBE.
Musical performances were given by pianist Lucy Goldberg, singer Ryan Mac, and musicians David Moore and David Rockall. The evening was attended by The Duchess of Norfolk.
Since 1919, Care for Veterans has provided care and rehabilitation to physically disabled ex-Service personnel and provides long-term nursing care, rehabilitation, respite and award-winning end of life care – all delivered from its 60-bed facility on Boundary Road, Worthing.
Head of Fundraising and Marketing at Care for Veterans, Elizabeth Baxter, said,
“We are indebted to The Duke and Duchess of Norfolk who kindly donated Arundel Castle to Care for Veterans for our event. Special thanks also to the wonderful celebrities and guest readers who came to make this a very special evening, and to everyone who bought tickets, helping to raise vital funds for the care and rehabilitation of our nation’s heroes.”
NOTES TO EDITOR:
For high resolution images, contact stewart.gillespie@careforveterans.org.uk
About Care for Veterans
Care for Veterans (formerly The Queen Alexandra Hospital Home) was established in 1919 – the charity celebrates its centenary this year.
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 35 and 101.
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, 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
