This April, residents living at Luff House care home in Walton-on-the-Naze completed a 30 miles over 30 days’ sponsored walk. The walk is part of The Pilgrimage, a fundraising initiative by Pilgrims’ Friend Society, with proceeds going towards the Hummingbirds, who provide one-to-one dementia support, and activities at the home.
The sponsored walk was organised by Ruth Mockler, Activities and Community Engagement (ACE) Facilitator. Ruth explains, “I wanted to do something that our residents, or ‘family members’ as we call those who live with us, could be involved with. Spring is such a lovely time of year and they love getting out into the fresh air and seeing all the flowers in bloom.”
Each day, Ruth took out at least one resident, with volunteers and staff from the home also joining in.
On some of the outings, a special four-legged friend was part of the action – Ruth’s Staffordshire/Collie cross Dudley. Ruth says, “In our home we have lots of dog lovers and so they were excited about the prospect of going for a walk with Dudley.”
One resident who has enjoyed taking part is Sylvia, 85. Sylvia says, “It has been lovely to see all the blossom on the trees. I love dogs, so it has been wonderful to be able to get out and about with Dudley.”
On the last day of April a small group of residents and staff triumphantly crossed the finishing line. Ruth says that as everyone has enjoyed going out for walks so much the home will now make a habit of getting out as often as they can.
The donation page for the challenge is still open: www.stewardship.org.uk/pages/LuffHouse
