Last week marked a heart-warming achievement for the Park View Care Centre in Ashford, as they proudly handed over their donations for the 2024 KMFM Tonnes of Tins Campaign. Over the past seven weeks, residents, staff, families, and the local community have come together to promote the campaign, contributing to the massive 9.7 tonnes of tins donated across Kent, which were delivered to local food banks.
The success of this campaign was made possible through the dedication of the Park View team, who tirelessly spearheaded fundraising efforts and raised awareness. Their commitment included radio interviews, meeting with KMFM team members, and collecting donations from the local community. Deputy Manager Karen McCall and Clinical Lead Sabrina Sinden visited the KMFM studios in Rochester to discuss the home’s involvement. Sabrina explained the motivation behind their participation: “As a home, we’re like a family, and we try to support and be involved in our local community as much as possible. We know how much food banks are valued, and unfortunately, they are a necessity. We all wanted to get involved, which is why we partnered with this year’s campaign and hosted a donation drop-off point.”
The campaign’s success at Park View was driven by the enthusiastic involvement of the residents, led by Lifestyle Co-ordinator Gina Davies. “Quite early on, the residents were talking about how they could get involved. Making the donation bin stand out was a must, and everyone contributed to giving it a makeover. It was also important for the residents to engage with the community, so we took trips to local supermarkets to collect tins, and of course, we couldn’t resist stopping for a cheeky coffee and cake along the way!” Gina shared.
The campaign truly brought everyone together, with residents’ families, the Park View team, and the local community rallying behind the cause. Their collective efforts filled a 55-litre bin with donations, and just before the final collection, the home tripled the weight of their contributions with an additional £250 worth of tins and dried food.
Deputy Manager Karen McCall expressed her pride in the home’s involvement, stating, “It’s been so motivational to be part of something with our local community. We’ve enjoyed meeting the KMFM presenters and welcoming them to the home. We take pride in the compassionate care we provide for our residents, and it was wonderful to showcase that to our local community.”
Looking ahead, Park View Care Centre is excited to continue supporting their local community with upcoming fundraising events and their monthly Dementia Cafés. These cafés offer a welcoming space for people living with dementia and their caregivers to connect in a friendly and relaxing environment. The next Dementia Café will take place on Tuesday, 27 August, from 2 pm to 4 pm, featuring a special showcase of Park View’s specialist services and facilities. Visitors can meet the Management Team and experience the home’s specialist dementia Montessori environments, supported by the Dementia D.O.V.E.S trained Lifestyles Team.
This inspiring campaign has not only made a significant impact on local food banks but also strengthened the bond between Park View Care Centre and its community, highlighting the positive difference that can be made when people come together for a common cause.