A north care group has been shortlisted for a national award as its latest community fundraising initiative takes the total raised for its charity partners to more than £18,000.
Parklands Care Homes is a finalist for the Community Involvement Award at the Caring UK Awards, with winners announced in December. Its community work includes charity partnerships, intergenerational activities and initiatives that tackle isolation and promote inclusion.
Over the past two years, fundraising by residents and colleagues, public donations and contributions from the Parklands group have provided over £18,000 for Highland Hospice and mental health charities Mikeysline and Feeling Blue.
That total includes more than £3,000 raised through last month’s Big Parklands Charity Challenge, which saw residents, colleagues and volunteers walking, cycling, washing cars and hosting community events for the three charities.
At Deveron Way in Huntly, staff took on a 24-hour indoor cycle marathon, covering a combined 218 miles.
Pittyvaich in Inverness staged its own 65-mile indoor cycling challenge and held a fun day for residents, families and staff.
At Lynemore in Grantown-on-Spey, pantry assistant Laura Cummings completed a 10-mile sponsored walk from Glenlivet to Tomintoul with her dog Jax.
Elsewhere, Urray House in Muir of Ord held a community fete, Weston View in Keith hosted a coffee morning, Eilean Dubh in Fortrose organised a charity car wash and Speyside in Aberlour held a car boot sale. Parklands’ head office team also joined the fundraising effort through a variety of activities.
Separately, staff from Glenisla in Keith recently completed a sponsored walk around Balloch Hill, raising money for the residents’ comfort fund and donating a portion to Feeling Blue.
Parklands Managing Director, Susie Mackenzie, said, “We are incredibly proud to be shortlisted for the Caring UK Community Involvement Award. We see Parklands as being deeply rooted in the community, and we take great pride in the role our homes play in bringing people together, promoting inclusion, and fundraising for the charities that matter most to our teams.
“It has been fantastic to see care teams, residents, families and friends getting behind the Big Parklands Charity Challenge.
“We know these are challenging times for many people, which makes the generosity and support we’ve seen across our communities all the more appreciated.
“Highland Hospice, Mikeysline and Feeling Blue all do important work supporting people and communities, and we’re delighted to be able to support them.”