Teesside care homes’ RNLI fundraiser on charity’s 200th anniversary

STORIES of a sea stranding and a cliffside rescue were recalled when several Teesside care homes raised hundreds of pounds for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).

Care homes in Middlesbrough, Stockton-on-Tees, and Saltburn-by-the-Sea held a joint fundraising day as part on the lifeboat service’s 200 year anniversary.

Residents, their families and staff from the Hill Care Group’s Hazelgrove Court Care Home, The Beeches Care Home, and The Gables Care Home came together for the day of nautical-themed activities and games.

Among them was David Rigg, 75, from Hazelgrove Court, who recalled his brother being rescued by the RNLI.

He said: “My brother, Derek, went out with a friend to fish in a small rowing boat when they were both about nine. Unfortunately, they lost their oars in the water and were stranded at sea, so they had to be rescued by the RNLI.

“They both lived to tell the tale, but they got a good talking to about safety at sea.”

Fellow Hazelgrove Court resident Ted Howell, 88, told of his son’s rescue from the seaside cliffs of Staithes, in North Yorkshire.

He said: “My son, Chris, his friend and dog climbed the cliffs at Staithes to look for seagull eggs. Unfortunately, they got stranded and could not get down and had to be rescued by the RNLI, which led to a good telling off by his dad.”

The Hill Care Group homes organised the fundraising day, which raised £320 for the RNLI, to help support the independent charity’s lifesaving service.

Residents and staff dressed as pirates for the event and welcomed a flock of parrots in the morning, getting the opportunity to feed them, hold and stroke them, and watch them fly between handlers.

In the afternoon, entertainers the Von Johnsons performed and held a singalong to “Sailor”, the 1960s hit by Petula Clark.

There was also a tombola, with prizes from Middlesbrough FC, as well as a paintball experience, and vouchers for Greggs, Home Bargains and Go Ape.

A game of guess the name of the RNLI lifeboat man, a treasure map game, hook the fish, adopt a sea creature, and lots of sea life photo opportunities kept everyone entertained.

Relph Funeral Directors visited the event with a limousine full of balloons, with guests guessing how many there were to be in with a chance of winning a £30 Love2Shop voucher.

John Collier, 80, a resident at The Beeches Care Home, was thrilled to see his great granddaughter with the winning guess. He said: “I loved having my family come to the event.”

Fellow resident from The Beeches, Janet Wren, 92, said: “I loved the pirates and parrots, especially getting the chance to hold one.”

The event was organised by activities coordinators Sharon Lewis, Nicola Bowes, and Sam McCormick, from Hazelgrove Court Care Home, The Beeches Care Home, and The Gables Care Home, respectively.

Sharon said: “We all agreed it was a great day, enjoyed by everyone, while raising money for such a good cause. Thank you to everyone who attended and donated. All proceeds will go to supporting the RNLI in their vital, lifesaving service.”