Two Winchester care homes joined forces for a family-friendly summer fete in aid of a nearby disability charity.
Dozens of visitors were welcomed by residents and staff from Colten Care’s Abbotts Barton and St Catherines View with the fun get-together raising £2,300 for the Boaz Project.
Based on a farm at Sutton Scotney, the charity is a therapeutic work community for adults with learning disabilities.
The fete, held at St Peter’s Primary School in Stanmore, Winchester, featured stalls selling jewellery, candles, soaps, cakes, plants and crocheted gift items handmade by residents and staff at the two homes.
There were also children’s games, a coconut shy, a barbecue, a tombola, a ball pit and the chance to see classic MG cars close-up courtesy of the Winchester MG Owners Club.
Live entertainment included singing, belly dancing, and guitar and accordion playing.
Abbotts Barton residents Doris Short and Anne Devonshire were among those attending the fete with families.
Doris said: “It was such an enjoyable afternoon.”
Likewise, 101-year-old Joyce Ward, who lives at St Catherines View, a dedicated dementia care home in Stanmore Lane, said: “It was a lovely day and I spent time with my family. There were lots of children having fun and I had fun too.”
The fete was the fourth such annual event that the two Colten Care homes have staged in aid of charity.
Laura Sheldrake, Companionship Team Leader at St Catherines View, said: “A lot of hard work went into making sure this summer’s fete was as successful as previous years.
“Colleagues from both homes, other staff from Colten Care, and relatives and residents all helped.
“The Boaz Project joined us on the day selling fresh eggs from their chickens plus homemade cards, woodwork and jams.
“Families enjoyed all we had to offer and we were delighted with having some local stalls come and support us too. The biggest success was the raffle which made more than £800.
“Overall, we raised an incredible amount, £2,297.75, for a worthwhile cause.”
Guests included the Mayor of Winchester, Councillor Russell Gordon-Smith, who entered the spirit of the event by having a henna tattoo and purchasing several plants.
He said it was his ‘pleasure and privilege to experience the fun of the fete’, adding: “It is wonderful that this enjoyable event also raised such a fine sum for local farm-based charity the Boaz Project. I commend all involved with the fete for their hard work and this fantastic result.”
Local Councillor Jamie Scott, who also attended, said: “Thanks to the Colten Care team for a brilliant afternoon.
“It was so lovely to catch up with them and chat to the community attending the event.”
A craft fair held earlier in the summer at Abbotts Barton raised a further £300 for the Boaz Project.
