Welcome to the 2008 recent events gallery which features a sample of the fun and successful events the chatrity and its supporters have held throughout the year.
June 2008
Sunday 6 July - 1OK Run
Friends of the
Elderly supporter Vicky shows what she's made of by running the British 10k London Run. The atmosphere was electric as the 20,000 enthusiasts took over central London for a few hours on Sunday 6 July. The course route saw runners heading up from Hyde Park Corner to Piccadilly, along the Mall, along the Embankment in the direction of the City, back along towards Westminster Bridge, both ways over the Bridge, then crossing the finishing line at Whitehall.
Friends of the Elderly's two runners raised a fabulous £750 which will be used to help support frail and vulnerable older people.
If you wish to fundraise for us please contact Louise Fisher at Friends of the Elderly on 020 7730 8263 or at louise.fisher@fote.org.uk.
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Thursday 6 June - Summer Soiree
Friends of the Elderly recently held their annual summer soiree in the exclusive Eaton Square Gardens. The event was a huge success with guests enjoying delicious canapés and pink fizz on a beautiful summers evening. The event provided guests with the unique opportunity to enjoy the beautiful and secluded private gardens of local Belgravia residents, normally not open to the public.
The evening include a raffle with great prizes including £100 of John Lewis vouchers, Champagne and restaurant vouchers.
All the money raised will help fund Friends of the Elderly’s vital work supporting frail and vulnerable older people.
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Wednesday 7 May - An Evening Concert at St. Michael's Church, London SW1
The evening concert was held in the beautiful St Michael’s Church, Chester Square. Music included:
* Mozart: Divertimento in D
* Dvorak: piano quintet in A - 1st and 2nd movements
* Beethoven: string quartet opus 59 No. 2
Drinks and eats were provided in the £25 ticket price.
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Tuesday 7 May - Friends of the Elderly raises its profile with fabulous musical event
Friends of the Elderly hosted a profile raising event at Rotherfield Park, the private home of Sir James and Lady Scott, an 18 century home in Tisted. The fabulous event was held to raise the profile of the charity's care home Friends of the Elderly The Lawn, in Holybourne. The event proved to be a great success.
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Sunday 13 April - Richard Furze completes the London Marathon
Richard joined the 46,500 other runners along the 26.2 mile course from Blackheath to The Mall to raise money for Friends of the Elderly. Richard raised in excess of £5,000.
The money raised will go towards providing practical support for older people who are struggling to stay independent in their own homes; they may need help to pay their gas bill, so that they can keep the heating on or to buy a new cooker when the old one gives up. These seemingly small things make a huge difference to a person's quality of life.
What was the biggest challenge faced by Richard?
Richard has this to say about the biggest challenge he has faced in preparation for running the marathon... raising the money.
'It is not difficult to raise money for animals, lifeboats or cancer. Unfortunately it is much harder to get support for older people in need despite the fact that increasingly most of are aware of older people who are lonely, isolated or struggling with a dreadful disease such as dementia."
It is not too late to support Richard, he is still accepting donations.
When asked the big question, will he run the Marathon in 2009? Richard replied "ask me again in three months!" So watch this space...
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Tuesday 8th April - Annual Review Event
Each year, Friends of the Elderly's Annual Review event focuses on a particular aspect of our work with older people or highlights an issue which we think deserves an airing because of its political currency and immediacy of concer for the wellbeing of older people and this year we are focusing on one of the most maligned yet important ones: care homes.
The government is focusing a lot of its attention and resources on promoting independence for older people as they see it; by encouraging them to continue living in their own homes. But it is ignoring the fact that older people can be independent in care homes too. As a provider of both types of care for older people, Friends of the Elderly is ideally placed to be aware of the positive effects of living in their own home and in a care home, but we have chosen to highlight the benefits of living in a care home where the benefits of independence are not offset by the isolation and loneliness of living on your own, but are complimented by the support and company provided in a high quality care home.
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Friday 7 March - Evening of Classical Music and Desserts
Please join us for our annual Music and Desserts Concert which is to be held in one of our magnificent care homes, Davenham.
The evening promises fantastic music by Neil Colledge who will be playing Schubert’s Grand Sonata in B flat and sonatas by Domenico Scarlatti. The music will be followed by champagne and delicious canape desserts.
Tickets cost £25.00 each and are available from Louise Fisher on 020 7730 8263 or louise.fisher@fote.org.uk
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Saturday 1 March - The Biggest Swim
Long time supporter Mark Percival took part in a sponsored event to raise funds for Friends of the Elderly Perrins, a nursing home in Malvern.
After the success of previous events, “TheBigSwim” and “TheBiggerSwim” which raised over £6000, long term supporter Mark Percival and friends have following up this year with “TheBiggestSwim,”
The 'Biggest Swim' involved 50 people, of varying ages and ability, but all with the same goal: to raise £4,000 through collectively swimming 100Km.
The event took place on Saturday 1st March at The Splash swimming pool in Malvern, between 6.30-9.30pm. Many thanks to everyone who took part, and everyone who sponsored them.
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