Fit Feb success for care home residents as they raise over £1,000 for charity

Residents and staff at Valerie Manor Care Home in Upper Beeding have kickstarted 2021 in a positive way by taking part in St Barnabas House’s Fit Feb virtual challenge, completing an hour of physical or mental fitness every day in February. With the help of local health and fitness company, Head Active, Valerie Manor raised over £1,000 for St Barnabas by taking part in Fit Feb, bringing the care home’s fundraising total to more than £10,000 since they started supporting the hospice in May 2012.

Lockdown has been an isolating time for the 23 care home residents at Valerie Manor, but Fit Feb saw everyone, aged 86 to 100, come together to take part in activities ranging from puzzles and group quizzes to seated exercises and target throwing. All whilst fundraising to support the hospice team who regularly visit residents to provide free expert care and support towards the end of life.

Zoe Fry, Director at Valerie Manor, says, “Everyone has loved taking part in Fit Feb and raising money for St Barnabas House. Our residents have given so much to society during their lives, so having something to focus on and a chance to help their local hospice has been a huge boost to their mental wellbeing during this difficult time.”

Tony, 94, enjoyed taking part describing it as “a lot of fun” and thanking his carer, Joyce, for coordinating the Fit Feb activities: “I really enjoyed joining in and wearing the t-shirt. It was very nice and a jolly good idea for fundraising.” (photo of Tony included in WeTransfer link).

To support Valerie Manor with their Fit Feb virtual challenge, local fitness company, Head Active, joined forces with the care home, generously providing free online fitness classes to staff and family members as well as encouraging its own members to take part and fundraise.

“Together, we’ve raised over £1,000 for St Barnabas House by taking part in Fit Feb,” says Jordan Head, Director at Head Active.

“Many of our staff and Head Active members have friends and relatives who have been cared for by the hospice, so it’s been great to team up with Valerie Manor and help raise awareness and money for a cause close to all of our hearts. Like everyone at the care home, Head Active members also really benefitted from focusing on their mental and physical health during lockdown.”

Jo Bacon, Corporate Fundraiser at St Barnabas House, says, “We are so grateful to Valerie Manor and Head Active who have worked together to take part in Fit Feb, raising over £1,000. This generous donation means that many more local people with incurable conditions will receive the care they need, whether this is at the hospice, in their own homes, or at care homes like Valerie Manor.”

To support Valerie Manor’s fundraising, visit www.justgiving.com/valerie-manor-stbarnabas.