Summer fayre raises almost £1,000 for Barnsley care home residents

A MASSIVE boost has been given to the residents’ fund at a Barnsley care home after a successful summer fayre saw them raise almost a thousand pounds.

A bumper raffle and over a dozen stalls and games were enjoyed by residents, staff, volunteers, and visitors at the Deangate Care Home summer fayre event, on Towngate, Mapplewell.

The summer sun saw everyone enjoying cold refreshments and ice lollies while having a punt at the raffle, which included a wide range of donated prizes.

First prize was two tickets to any Barnsley FC match followed by a meet and greet with the man of the match in the executive box, donated by Jimmy Whitehead from Momentus Football Academy. Jimmy also donated a pair of football boots, a Momentus football kit, a one-to-one session with Momentus, and a one month membership with the academy.

Other prizes included a £20 gift voucher for the Old George coffee house, on Market Hill, two free portions of fish and chips at Aqua Fish Bar, on Blacker Road, a lamp and lantern from Morrisons Barnsley, chocolates from Co-op Mapplewell, and a variety of gifts from relatives and friends of the care home.

The fayre also included face painting, games such as “Beat the Keeper” and “Is it water or wine?”, stalls selling cakes, books, second hand items, scented candles, and tie dyed t-shirts made by residents and staff, a craft table, and singer Hilary Dennis performing throughout the day.

The care home’s activities coordinator, Rachael Addy, put herself on the line when she volunteered for the cream pie and water toss.

She said: “The cream pie and water toss started off so calmly but soon escalated into carnage. The residents were in shock when the first pie hit me but after that they all wanted a go.

“Frances hit me that hard I thought I didn’t have a nose anymore. Joan gave me the towel after she pied me. Each and every person that had a go always started with “I really like you but how much is it for pies and water”.

“We had such a fantastic afternoon. We had families, friends and people from the local community turn up to help raise money for our wonderful residents.”

Resident Frances Smith, 87, said: “I think I may have hit Rachael too hard. I felt a crack around her nose. But I enjoyed it.”

Joan Giggal, 90, added: “I felt bad doing the first pie but then I started to like the second and third ones, especially when I rubbed it in. What an amazing day. Thank you for making us feel so special.”

Amy Oats, a carer at the care home who visited the fayre off-duty with her daughter, said: “My little girl had her face painted, which looked amazing, and she even had some little temporary tattoos. It was such a family orientated day thank you for inviting us.”

Chantelle Peacock, deputy manager at Deangate Care Home, said: “I don’t think I have laughed so much as when Rachael got hit in the face with the pies and the bucket of water topped it off.”

Rachael Dawson, home manager at Deangate Care Home, said: “We’d all like to say a massive thank you to all those who helped support our summer fayre. A special mention must go to activities coordinator Rachael Addy for getting pie-faced by residents and giving them a huge laugh in the process.

“The event was a massive success, raising a total of £911.60 for our residents’ fund, which will go towards activities and outings for those who reside with us.

“Everyone had such a brilliant time and the residents haven’t stopped talking about it. They’re all looking forward to next year already.”