The Sky’s the Limit!
One of the many friends we have made during the Manor Farm Silver Scheme was someone who actually works for the Big Lottery – the very people who had faith in our project and kindly funded our work with older people throughout 2013. The Big Lottery wanted to find out more about the Silver Scheme and asked one of their key staff to spend some time with us. We were lucky enough to be assigned to Funding Officer, Gemma Bray.
We provide a range of services from befriending older people who live on their own to other worthwhile activities such as home maintenance, luncheon clubs and transport to essential appointments. Gemma took time out from her busy schedule as the Lottery Funding Officer to visit the older people in their homes, sit with them at our lunch clubs and give them assistance on their way to medical appointments at the local hospital.
Gemma with Silver Scheme lunch club member Doug Gilham
Gemma said, ‘It was an amazing experience for me to visit Manor Farm and I walked away feeling overwhelmed by the commitment from staff and volunteers to ensure the beneficiaries received a 1st class service.’
In fact she was so overwhelmed with the work we do and the people we support that she kindly offered to go to very dizzy heights and support us financially. She went skydiving!
Gemma made contact earlier this week with this lovely message, ‘I mentioned that I was doing a sponsored skydive and the money I was raising would be for both Manor Farm Community Association and Dementia UK. Well ... I did it! I jumped and survived the landing! I had a fantastic day as it was also in memory of my granddad who lived with dementia, so the two charities mean a lot to me.'
She went on to say, 'I know you provided a Christmas party last year for all the older people and if you are to do the same this year, I’d hope the money could be put to good use for that?’
Isn’t it amazing how kind people can be? Gemma has been a true friend to the Manor Farm Silver Scheme and we can’t thank her enough for this kind gesture. She can be assured that we will put the money to the good use she suggested and a warm invitation awaits her to return any time she likes – especially at the Christmas party this year!
The Manor Farm Silver Scheme goes from strength to strength and the services Gemma knows so well continue to flourish with all our regulars sending her their very best wishes.
We still look for funding for these invaluable community services and we welcome all offers of help - from volunteer support through to much needed funding. Gemma has proved just what heights can be reached and also shown it can be a lot of fun too!
And ... now that you been sky diving Gemma, just what adventure are you going to try next???
Gemma is pictured during her fabulous sky dive and clearly loving every minute of it!
