Highgrove House ‘shares the love’ with donation to Chorley foodbank

Residents at a care home in Chorley have been sharing memories and love stories on the home’s Facebook page in an effort to raise money for a local foodbank.

Highgrove House, part of the Unity Homes group, agreed to donate £1 to the LW Storehouse foodbank in Chorley for every ‘share’ of its Facebook posts during the 7-day campaign.

The care home hit their target and donated £250 to the charity.

Care manager Polly Bateman and care assistant Karen MacMahon presented the cheque to the foodbank’s project coordinator, Helen Schilz.

“We’re delighted with this generous donation from Polly and her team at Highgrove House,” said Helen.

“So many families are struggling to feed their children and afford the basic essentials, the donation is much appreciated as it will make a big difference to the work we do.”

The foodbank receives referrals from 40 agencies across Chorley and received 364 referrals just in the first two months of 2020 alone. It is reliant on funding from grants and donations to be able to meet that need.

Residents taking part in the fundraising activity were encouraged to share stories about how they first met their future husband or wife, or to recall memories from their wedding day.

Resident Adolphus Finney, aged 83, and his wife Catherine will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary later this month.

Catherine recalled: “During our wedding service my hand was crossed with gold, which was my wedding band, and silver, a half-crown coin. I didn't have a bag so gave Adolphus my coin to save, later that day he gave it to a taxi driver. That was our first row!

“We've enjoyed 60 years together, silver, gold, and now a diamond. We've had a lot of good times together, so it was lovely to look back and share those moments for a good cause.”

Isabella Hamilton, aged 87, said: “We were in the forces; Harry in the RAF and I was in the WRAF. One day he asked me to go to the camp cinema with him, and I agreed. In the cinema, all Harry's friends stood up and cheered as we walked in, we couldn't sit down fast enough!

“We married two years later, and it was a very special day.”

In addition to the food parcels, the foodbank provides a hot meal from their café to everyone who’s referred to them. Highgrove House’s donation will pay for 50 hot meals for families referred to the charity this month.

“Everyone at the care home feels part of the community in Chorley,” added Polly.

“The residents were chuffed to be able to do their bit for the foodbank and help just a few of the families in our local area.”

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