Fundraising challenge for Milford on Sea charity

Freedom to Learn has 31 days to raise in excess of £4,000 from at least 40 donors - can you help?

4 December 2017 

Milford on Sea based charity, Freedom to Learn is launching an exciting fundraising challenge to raise in excess of £4,000 from at least 40 donors in just 31 days with Global Giving, the largest crowdfunding community platform.

The charity, which works to improve the quality and access for some of the most vulnerable children in Nepal, has been selected by the GlobalGiving Foundation to take part in its Accelerator programme.

This programmes requires charities to raise in excess of £4,000 from at least 40 donors throughout the month of December, in order to be permanently featured on the GlobalGiving’s website.

Project Manager of Freedom to Learn, Joey Owen said: “This is an amazing opportunity for us and an opener to get into one of the world’s largest community crowdfunding websites.

“We need to raise £4,000 from 40 donors in 31 days for us to secure a permanent spot on this website, which will enable us in the long term to benefit from corporate relationships, connect with new donors and access valuable online fundraising tools.”

To help Freedom to Learn reach its £4,000 target, please donate between the 1st to the 31st of December at www.globalgiving.org/projects/help-370-nepali-children-access-quality-education/

Freedom to Learn works to improve the quality and access to education for some of the most vulnerable children in Nepal, helping more than 5000 children each year.
It has supported 12 schools in Nepal since 2012 by providing:
• Clean water and sanitation
• Bikes to school
• Teacher training
• School meals, materials and running costs

For further information about Freedom To Learn please visit www.freedomtolearn.org.uk or find them at:

Facebook: @freedomtolearnuk
Twitter: @ftluk
Instagram: freedomtolearnuk

Join a great team of friendly volunteers

St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery are looking for volunteers

In mid-July St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery will re-open to the public following major alterations. To achieve this, it will need some extra volunteers working on ‘front of house’. This role involves answering questions from the public about the Lymington area – the team has leaflets, internet access and other resources on which to draw, but local knowledge would be very useful; taking admission fees and checking membership cards; selling cards and gift items; stewarding in the galleries.

An interest in art or local history would be useful but is not essential. Morning and afternoon sessions last for 3½ hours from Monday to Saturday, 3 hours on Sundays, and volunteers should be available at least 40 weeks a year.

The Museum is looking for volunteers who are good with people, can handle money accurately, can do internet searching and are comfortable with online activities like shopping or booking, and who will be able to learn to use the electronic till and other online systems.

Volunteers will be particularly needed on Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday afternoons and on Sunday mornings and afternoons, but there are vacancies on other days of the week too. Good disabled access in the refurbished building will mean that the volunteer role would suit wheelchair users. Training will start in mid-June, so applicants are urged to apply soon.

Anyone who is interested can call in at the Visitor Information room in the Lymington Centre (New Street entrance) for more details and an application form or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Enquiries to Sheila Ward at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or telephone 01590 671205

Red Nose Day brings out artistry in Brockenhurst

Woodpeckers residents discover their talent at facepainting

Care home residents found their artistic sides as they painted the faces and arms of staff for Red Nose Day on Friday. Team members at Colten Care's Woodpeckers home in Brockenhurst, Hampshire, including Home Manager Janie Pearman and Activity Organiser Sara Gould, came under the brush.

After ‘decorating’ both Janie and Sara with gentle watercolour designs of flowers, butterflies and even a Spitfire over the white cliffs of Dover, 91-year-old Stanley Crowe said: “I’ve never painted in my life before but I think it's all turned out fine.”

The sponsored paint morning was followed by a singalong session in what Janie described as a “wonderful day of fun”. As well as volunteering their faces and arms, staff were invited to dress up in red clothes.

“We all had a brilliant time raising money for Comic Relief," said Janie. "Our residents loved painting and our team needs very little encouragement to dress up!”

Other Red Nose Day events at Colten Care homes included a singalong at Avon Reach in Mudeford with visitors from nearby All Saints Church. Staff, families and friends from the home also organised a sponsored walk from Avon Reach to Linden House care home in Lymington.

There were more singalong sessions at Abbotts Barton and St Catherines View in Winchester and at Kingfishers in New Milton.

Colten Care has a policy of linking its 20 homes’ activities programmes with fundraising for charities chosen by residents and team members.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT COLTEN CARE'S LOCAL HOMES

Colten Care operates six residential nursing and care homes in the local area, including three in Lymington: Belmore Lodge, Court Lodge and dementia specialist Linden House. There are also homes in Brockenhurst (Woodpecker's), New Milton (Kingfisher's) and Mudeford (Avon Reach). Click on the links to find out more about each home...

BBC thank Colten Care for Children in Need FUNDRAISING

Lymington care home residents tour BBC studio

Care home residents enjoyed a personal, behind-the-scenes tour of the BBC’s Southampton studios as a thank-you for raising more than £8,000 for Children in Need.

A party from Colten Care’s three Lymington homes - Belmore Lodge, Court Lodge and Linden House - saw final preparations for a South Today TV news bulletin, met presenter Allen Sinclair, read from an autocue and sat on the studio couch. They also heard from BBC Radio Solent producers about the latest developments in broadcast technology.

Belmore Lodge resident Bill Marks said the visit was a fascinating way to round off the homes’ fundraising campaign, adding: “It was amazing coming in and seeing the changing technology. It’s obviously all moved on from the reel-to-reel tapes I’d normally associate with a studio.”

Despite using a wheelchair, Bill supported Children in Need by taking part in a sponsored stationary bike ride challenge, completing a mile’s worth of turns using his hands. He said: “I’m always happy to help children who are disadvantaged as they deserve the best of luck in life.”

Also on the tour was 83-year-old Pearl Durrant who helped launch Linden House’s fundraising. Sitting in the South Today presenter’s chair, Pearl said: “This is great, really interesting.”

Colten Care has a deliberate policy of linking activities programmes at all 20 of its homes with fundraising for charities chosen by residents. The three Lymington homes together raised £8,214 for Children in Need at the end of 2016.

As well as the stationary bike ride, team members devised a photo caption competition and held a gala ball and auction at Lymington sailing club.

In a personal challenge, Court Lodge Activities Organiser Julia Puia even endured a sponsored baked bean bath.

Pam Bacon, South West Regional Officer for BBC Children in Need, said: “It was lovely to welcome such kind-hearted people and show them round our studios. The amount they raised is fantastic and we thank them for such a brilliant effort.”

Janie Pearman, Home Manager at Belmore Lodge, said: “Our residents and team members truly value being part of the community and helping worthy causes. Once we knew they wanted to support Children in Need, we all got behind it. The studio tour was a great way to recognise what everyone has achieved and we’re so grateful to those at the BBC who helped make it happen.”

The 2016 BBC Children in Need appeal raised a record £46.6 million nationally by the close of the broadcaster’s telethon last November. The final total will be available in June once all donations since then have been counted. The money goes towards helping disadvantaged children and young people across the UK.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT COLTEN CARE'S LOCAL HOMES

Colten Care operates six residential nursing and care homes in the local area, including three in Lymington: Belmore Lodge, Court Lodge and dementia specialist Linden House. There are also homes in Brockenhurst (Woodpecker's), New Milton (Kingfisher's) and Mudeford (Avon Reach). Click on the links to find out more about each home...

Força thank Lymington for supporting their fundraising

Lymington charity raises over £5,000 to help local people living with cancer

Lymington charity, força strength against cancer would like to thank the Lymington community who supported their recent initiative on Lymington High Street. During the month of February, the team opened a 'Pre-loved Boutique,' selling good-quality, nearly-new clothing and accessories which had been donated to their cause. The shop was open at weekends and occasionally during the week when members of the 20-strong força team could man the store. 

"We are delighted to have raised over £5,000 from selling nearly-new clothing in our pop up boutique," shared Kate Chapman, treasurer of força strength against cancer. "Since we had no overheads, all money raised will go to support local people living with cancer."

Funds to support Nourish...by Força

Some of the funds raised will support the Nourish...by força programme at Oakhaven Hospice. força strength against cancer started Nourish...by força at the beginning of 2016 with the aim of providing delicious and nutritious meals to local people undergoing cancer treatment at Oakhaven Hospice. Whilst receiving cancer treatment at Oakhaven, patients have the opportunity to choose a  meal to take home and warm up that evening and another to eat another day. Meals are offered in single portions, double portions or family sizes (feeding 4 people). All meals are freshly prepared on site by the Oakhaven catering team.

"The funds raised enable us to continue the Nourish...by força programme at Oakhaven and also to provide more support to individuals and families living with cancer in the local area" said Kate.  

Individual support for those living with cancer

Força will also allocate funds to continue their support of individuals and families in the local community. 

As highlighted in a recent report in the Daily Telegraph, the cost of cancer can be immense. Macmillan Cancer Support believe more than 30,000 people in their 40s and 50s with cancer have had to borrow money from their elderly parents as a result of extra costs and lost income. And more than 2,000 have moved in with their parents or in-laws after having to sell their house. About 28% of cancer sufferers - an estimated 700,000 people - are vunerable to poverty because they have no savings to fall back upon. Research by Macmillan Cancer Support suggests that cancer costs patients an average of £570 per month in lost income and additional expenditure.

Over the past few years força strength against cancer have supported local individuals and families living with cancer in a number of ways, including assistance with funding alternative therapies, treatments and supplements and providing the means to fund memorable days out. 

"Força helps people in a number of ways," said Catherine Hopkinson, "and we would like to support more local people living with cancer. It can be very difficult juggling cancer with normal life, and sometimes just a little financial assistance can make a big difference. Do get in touch if we can help."

If you know someone local who might benefit from support by força strength against cancer, contact the team directly on http://www.forcaagainstcancer.org.uk

Find out more about Lymington based charity, força strength against cancer

Come and support Lymington’s Boat Jumble - now in it’s 5th year!

On Saturday 4th March, the annual Lymington Boat Jumble will be taking place at the Sea Scout Headquarters.

The event will be held from 9.30-12.00 at TS Kent (Sea Hut), Kings Salterns Road, Lymington, SO41 3QD and will be raising funds for 9th Lymington Sea Scout Group (Registered Charity number 302255). Refreshments will be on sale throughout the event.

The boat jumble was started as a fundraising initiative in 2013 and has grown steadily each year.

“The idea of holding a boat jumble came to us after several parents asked where they could get hold of second hand children’s sailing clothes, “ shared Sonia Carswell, volunteer fundraiser for 9th Lymington Sea Scouts. “With Lymington being such a centre for sailing, it has proved to be a huge success. Some take delight in digging all manner of boating paraphernalia out their lofts and garages, whilst others are thrilled to be able to bag a bargain and sell on outgrown items.”

The event provides a great opportunity to buy and sell (good condition) boating clothing and jumble. "Every year we are amazed and delighted by the quality of the boating clothing and items that is brought in by members of the local community for the sale," continued Sonia. "There are always items which totally delight the buyer, who has perhaps been on the look out for a particular item for some time - one person's jumble is another person's treasure!"

It's time to dig out your boating jumble!

If you have any items taking up precious space in your cupboards, garage or attic, now’s an ideal time to dig them out! Typically it is the ideal opportunity to move on boats, dinghies, kayaks, canoes, SUPs, surfboards, sailing gear (childrens and adults), buoyancy aids, lifejackets, wetsuits, rashvests, boots, dry bags, waterproofs and any other yacht or boat jumble that you have lying around (spare fenders, cleats, bits of rope….)

Donation or commisson based sale

Items can either be donated to 9th Lymington Sea Scout Group or sold on a commission basis. For more information about terms and conditions, plus when and how to deliver items, see www.9thlymingtonseascouts.org.uk/ts-and-cs. You can also contact the Boat Jumble team on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

“Every year we have had fantastic support from the local community and last year we were thrilled to raise over £1,400,” commented Anne Pike, sea scout leader. “Many local residents donated their second-hand sailing gear to the group to sell, with others selling with a donation going to 9th Lymington Sea Scout Group. We hope that this year’s boat jumble will be even bigger!”

“It is great that our local sea scout group gets so involved in the local community’” added Peter Lashmar of New Forest Tax Accountants, who sponsors the event each year.  “And an excellent opportunity for local people to recycle their boating items and water clothing.”

Lymington’s Boat Jumble: Saturday 4th March: 9.30am - Midday.

Boat jumble terms and conditions

Mungo is top dog as Lymington care home raises cash for disability charity.

Belmore Lodge in Lymington funds for Canine Partners, assistance dogs for disabled people.

Disability assistance dog Mungo was the canine guest of honour as a care home marked the end of a year’s fundraising for the charity that matched him with a New Forest woman. Residents and staff at Colten Care’s Belmore Lodge in Lymington have raised more than £600 for Canine Partners through events such as a garden party, quiz nights and raffles.

At a cheque presentation at the home, they heard more about the work of the charity from volunteer Liz Downs and met Mungo and his partner Barbara Houston. Canine Partners provides specially trained assistance dogs for disabled people. The dogs can unload the washing machine, pick up dropped items, help someone get undressed, press buttons and fetch help in an emergency.

Barbara, who lives in Bransgore, said her life had been transformed since she was matched with black Labrador Mungo six years ago. “He’s an amazing companion and lifesaver who brings joy to my world,” she said.

Liz, who lives in Hordle, explained how puppies undergo around two years’ training, learning tasks based on ‘touching, tugging and retrieving’ through play.
She said: “Fully trained dogs don’t forget what they learn and, once they are ready, we match them with a person living with a disability based on their temperament, skills and character. Every penny we receive in donations helps towards our goal of making a real difference to people’s lives. We are very grateful for the funds raised by the residents and staff here at Belmore Lodge.”

Canine Partners currently has 366 working partnerships across the UK. Each dog costs an average £20,000 from selection as a puppy to retirement at around 12 years of age. The figure equates to £4.56 a day.

Belmore Lodge Activity Organiser Jackie Fergusson said: “It’s always our residents’ choice as to which charities they want to support every year. We were delighted to help Canine Partners as our main charity for 2016.”

Care home residents view amazing church art restoration.

St Mark's Church, Pennington thank Belmore Lodge and others who have donated to the appeal. 

Lymington care home residents have helped their nearby Victorian parish church complete the first stage of an ambitious project to conserve precious wall paintings. Colten Care’s Belmore Lodge has contributed to a community appeal by St Mark’s Church designed to fund the professional restoration of the colourful artworks that have greeted generations of worshippers. Residents from the Milford Road care home did their bit through a sponsored quiz, prize draw, collection and the raffling of a large blanket of coloured squares they knitted. 

The oldest painting, at the end of the chancel and depicting Christ, the Virgin Mary and St John, has been brought back to its best after weeks of painstaking work at the end of 2016. Two experts from Salisbury-based Peter Martindale Conservation used scaffolding for access. With specialist tools, they tackled surface and water damage that had built up over more than a century since the artist Nathaniel Westlake finished the painting in 1904. An altar had to be relocated for communion during the restoration process.

A party of residents and staff from Belmore Lodge were among the first visitors to cast their eyes over the renovated artwork. Resident Margaret Stancliffe said: “It’s beautiful. The difference is amazing.”

Associate Priest Revd Anne Elliott thanked the Belmore Lodge residents and others in the community who have contributed to the fundraising appeal. She said: “All donations help and we are sincerely grateful to everyone who has helped out. This has been very much an example of a community working together to preserve paintings that are truly uplifting for worship. It’s an expensive and intricate business to restore such artwork. There are very few people who are qualified to do it.”

Teresa Nivison, Churchwarden and Treasurer, said: “The Westlake painting is now cleaner and brighter. The restoration has picked out all the detail we couldn’t see before. The painting was always nice, but now it’s outstanding and will last for generations to come.”

The second stage of the work involves the restoration of panels either side of the chancel. Depicting Biblical scenes, these were painted by William Aikman in 1930. Their restoration is due to take place over five weeks up to mid-February 2017.

St Mark’s has raised £11,000 in donations with further monies promised through a grant from the Church Buildings Council. The Belmore Lodge residents have so far raised more than £200 towards the appeal.

For more information on the fundraising campaign, with details on how to donate, visit www.stmarks-pennington.org.uk.

Colten Care raises £10k for Children in Need.

A fortnight of cycling, spotting and auctioning in Lymington helped raise important funds.

Community-minded residents and staff at Colten Care homes have done their bit for BBC Children in Need by raising more than £10,000. Team members at Colten Care totted up the total following events across Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire and Sussex in aid of the annual appeal.

A key focus was Lymington where three homes held a fortnight’s fundraising extravaganza launched by Pudsey bear himself that culminated in a sparkling ‘black tie and diamonds’ ball at Lymington Town Sailing Club, with fundraising auction. Colten Care would like to thank everyone in and around Lymington and the New Forest who supported their Children in Need fundraising.

Belmore Lodge, Court Lodge and Linden House all set up stationary exercise bikes in their foyers so residents and visitors could help ‘cycle Pudsey home’ by covering the 500 or so miles that would take him to and from the BBC studios in Manchester.

The virtual journey was streamed live using web cams so communities could check on progress in real time. The initiative proved so popular that the distance target was smashed a few days ahead of Children in Need night.

At Linden House, a dedicated dementia care home, cyclist David Brass completed 100 miles himself, raising £542. David is the son-in-law of former resident Shirley Pawley. Explaining why he wanted to support the home’s community work, David said: “My over-riding impression of Linden House was nothing but welcoming and kindness, not only to Shirley, but also the whole family. It’s a wonderful home.”

At the same time, one of Colten Care’s minibuses was specially decorated Pudsey-style with colourful spots for a photo and poetry competition. As it went on its rounds in and around Lymington, members of the public were invited to take and send in a photo of it with a short caption to describe what fun they would like to have in their later years. The winner, Sonia Elliott, wrote: “Out and about with Colten Care, Ice creams and other fare, That’s the life I'd like to lead, And they deal with every need.”

The black-tie ball, at Lymington Sailing Club, included an auction of donated items and a broadcast by BBC TV presenter Alexis Green as part of the telethon evening.

Court Lodge was also where a young care home worker had 100 cans of baked beans poured over her by residents and colleagues in aid of the appeal.

Activities Organiser Julia Puia raised more than £300 by enduring the hour-long chilly challenge.

At Avon Cliff in Bournemouth, residents enjoyed a teddy bears’ picnic and 1950s singalong while at Fernhill in Ferndown the focus was a 1920s casino party. Fernhill Activities Organiser Karen Grant A’Court said: “It was a lovely light-hearted event that brought young and not-so-young together. The youngest was aged six and the oldest 101. Everyone had a smile on their face.”

Other homes saw fancy dress events, quizzes, cake sales, tea parties and bingo sessions.

With some pledges still to be collected, the total amount raised by Colten Care for Children in Need this year has so far come to £10,010. This is more than double the amount raised last year. 

Colten Care has a policy of linking activities programmes at all 20 of its homes with fundraising for charities chosen by residents. Activities Manager Jo London said: “Children in Need is always a great chance for everyone to join in and show their support. Our residents and team members really value being part of the community and doing their bit for worthy causes.”

This year’s BBC Children in Need appeal raised a record £46.6 million nationally. The money goes towards helping disadvantaged children and young people across the UK.

Lymington band releases original Christmas single in aid of local charity.

Music in Translation's new single will be released at fundraising gig at the Lymington Centre.

Local indie rock band, Music in Translation have written and recorded an original Christmas song in aid of the Lymington Centre. The single is called 'It’s Xmas Don’t You Know' and was released for download earlier this month.

The release will be accompanied by a fundraising gig in aid of the Lymington Centre at 7pm on Saturday 10 December at the Fuller/Mcllellan Hall. Entry will be by donation. 

The band, which is made up of husband and wife Paul and Nikki Pusey on guitar and vocals, with Jake Chambers on bass and vocals, has been together for three years and performs a wide range of covers, as well as penning original songs.

Click here to watch It's Xmas Don't You Know

The band's new song is available for download from a number of online stores, which can be accessed via the band’s website at www.musicintranslation.eu

Download It's Xmas Don't You Know

A limited number of CDs will be on sale at the gig on December 10, as well as at the Lymington Centre reception.

The proceeds from It’s Xmas Don’t You Know will go to the Lymington Centre.

The Lymington Centre is one of only a handful of independent community centres in the UK, with its primary funding coming from memberships and centre users, as well as donations. Opened in 1947, the centre is working to maintain and modernise its large collection of ageing and listed buildings, as well as to continue to provide a range of services for the local community. These include room hire, classes, a cinema, cafe and pre-school. Paul said the centre is also a “safe and welcoming place for people of all walks of life to meet, relax and unwind”.