The staff and some care users from Bield’s Whitehill Court Day Care Centre were presented with the funds following The Annual Sportsman’s Dinner at The Eagle Lodge, a charity dinner that has been donating to worthwhile causes for a number of years.

The sizeable donation, raised through pledges and auction bids on the night, marks the fourth year that Bield Housing and Care Services were chosen as beneficiaries of the charity dinner, with donations totalling £7,500 over the four years.

Whitehill staff and some of the older people they care for were able to enjoy a lovely afternoon tea courtesy of the Eagle Lodge before being presented with a cheque by owner Rahul Randev.

Rahul said: “Bield continue to do fantastic work in the community, the staff are fantastic and do a great job so we are delighted to be associated with them.

“We are so happy to have Bield as one of our chosen charities and we will continue to help and support the great work that they do.”

The donation from Eagle Lodge will help to fund Mary’s Kitchen at Whitehill Court Day Care Centre, a service which provides a restaurant style experience so older people living with dementia can enjoy a meal out with their family & loved ones in a safe and familiar setting.

Kevin Rowe, fundraiser at Bield, said: “It’s amazing to have been chosen to receive such a generous donation from the Sportsman’s Dinner yet again.

“This donation is important to us as it goes to a fantastic cause that improves the lives of so many individuals and their families. Donations like these are essential to allow us to do this type of project, being chosen again makes such a difference.

“The Annual Sportsman’s Dinner is renowned for its generous donations to worthwhile causes so we are delighted to have their support in funding one of our much-loved projects.

“Mary’s Kitchen has been running for nearly four years now and it’s a service that is cherished by those who use it. Providing a place to celebrate special occasions or just have a nice meal out can be incredibly valuable.

“Eating out is such a simple thing that most of us take for granted but due to accessibility, understanding of dementia and the anxiety caused to some people, many choose to simply stay at home & miss out on celebrating special occasions.

“This service allows families to get together and create more happy memories.”

The service, thanks to generous donations like these, gives those living with dementia the opportunity to enjoy a ‘night out’ with loved ones in a relaxed environment surrounded by people they know and well trained staff.