Jennifer Blackburn, the Manager of Acre Court Assisted Living, in Middleton told me about the fund raising calendar residents have produced.
When the cost of living crisis is hitting the highest peak and people all over the world are struggling in their everyday lives with finances, keeping warm and eating healthy, but fundraising has also hit a low as people just don’t have the funds to keep on giving.
The residents of Acre Court, Middleton, Leeds pull together all year round and raise money for various charities of their choice that are close to their hearts.
In December 2022, Acre Court residents decided they were going to raise money for Breast Cancer.
They came up with the idea of making their own calendar for 2023, with residents to take part in the monthly photos which would make up the calendar.
Most of the residents really enjoyed doing fun photographs for each month, they then had the calendars printed and sold on for a profit.
To help boost funds they decided to do an open tabletop sale and tombola, which was open to the public.
All in all, the residents of Acre Court raised a whopping £750.
Unfortunately, they couldn’t be presented with their certificates as the charity, Breast Cancer UK, don’t have enough staff in the north of England to come out and see them. But the photo taken today is the residents with their fundraising certificate.
Since the calendar was made in December, we sadly lost a dear resident, Irene, who was like part of the furniture here at Acre Court. Irene had been a resident for over 15 years and was local to Middleton before she moved into Acre Court.
In memory of Irene, it was her wishes that her belongings would be sold on to raise money for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
Again, the residents rallied around, together along with Irene’s family, to organise a tabletop and tombola open to the local public to raise money in Irene’s memory.
Their efforts raised £433 for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
The generosity and willingness of Acre Court residents is outstanding. They’re always there to help anyone and are very welcoming even when times are hard.
Steven and Lesley, Acre Court Committee members, say:
“The Committee of Acre Court organised a charity 2023 calendar to sell at Christmas. Some of the residents wore various costumes and props.
“We all had fun doing it. I understand it’s the first time the Court has done this, we all had fun making the calendar and posing for the photographs.
“The Calendar was published for a good cause and raised £750 for Breast Cancer.
“On Wednesday 25 January 2023 we organised a Table Top Sale at Acre Court in memory of Irene Pratt, who suddenly passed away.
“All the donations from the sale, £433, are to given to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
“Julie and the family would like to thank all who attended the sale, and give a special thanks to The Acre Court Committee, and members who ran the event.”
Ken says:
“Jennifer has taken over as Manager at Acre Court while Alison is away on a course.
Many residents have said can we keep Jenny as Manager at Acre Court permanently. Jenny has been a revelation since taking over at Acre Court, with the many things that Jenny has got us all interested in. Jenny, still manages Leasowe Court in Hunslet as well.
Jenny has helped me a great deal in various things. Wendy, the cleaner at Acre Court also helps out with Court coffee mornings, and Court lunches.
As Jenny says, when I’m on Court, my door is always open to help everyone.
Everybody I’ve spoken to loves Jenny, and know she goes out of her way to help all the residents.
At the moment Jenny is overseeing the fitting of new fire doors to the flats. In February at the Court, we start to have a new computerised Warden call system, combined with visitor video screens.
Sometime in the year, we are to have new windows.
Steven and Lesley, (committee Members) along with the Committee also get involved with many events at the Court with Jenny and Wendy, and I’m sure this will continue.
I’m looking to join the Acre Court Committee, at the next AGM, if I get voted in. LOL.
I’m looking to get more involved with what’s going on at Acre Court, but I’m already doing four half days a week voluntary work, on top of writing for South Leeds Life, so we will see”.
Edited by Kenneth Ingram, (Blogger and Writer for South Leeds Life, Middleton Elderly Aid, Acre Court and BITMO’s GATE).
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