Community volunteers have thanked residents and staff at a Poole care home for raising more than £4,000 to help their work supporting families in need.
The funds for the nearby Bourne Community Hub and food store were raised over the past year through events at Colten Care’s Bourne View in Langside Avenue.
They included fairs, fetes, raffles, ‘tea and togetherness’ sessions, business breakfasts and other activities hosted at the art deco-themed home.
Before revealing the final amount raised, the Bourne View team invited hub representatives to a cheque presentation.
Donna Crutcher, former vice-chair of community group Bourne Big Local which supports the hub alongside Poole Communities Trust who manage it, said she ‘couldn’t believe it’ when she saw the figure of £4,173.54 on the giant cheque.
“I was overwhelmed,” said Donna. “I was expecting a few hundred at the most. This is an amazing amount. We are eternally grateful.”
Donna explained that the money will go towards ongoing running costs of the food store where donated items currently help to feed between 40 and 50 people every week.
“We’re all about helping those in need,” she said. “We don’t turn people away.”
Stuart King, Home Manager of Bourne View said: “It’s always up to our residents to decide which charities and good causes we support each year. We’re proud to have done our bit for the hub as our 2025 charity of the year.”
As well as fundraising, donating food and hosting events in support of the hub, staff volunteers from Bourne View have provided hands-on help with gardening services.
Resident Irene Whyment said: “It’s such a good cause.”
Team members at the hub plan to host Bourne View residents on a community day this summer so they can see the food store in operation.
