Staff and residents at Windsor Court care home on Sandbeck Way in Wetherby, have taken part in the annual ‘Denim for Dementia’ challenge, in association with the Alzheimer’s Society to raise funds to support and improve the lives of people affected by dementia.
The team ditched their uniform in exchange for denim and a donation to take part in the ‘Wild West’ themed fundraiser, complete with full denim cowboy attire including cow print chaps, checked shirts, waistcoats, bandanas, personalised whacky cowboy hats and of course, their denim jeans.
Throughout the day, residents also donned their denim and embraced the cowboy theme with gusto, enjoying a southern chicken feast before joining in with a traditional ‘barn dance’, dancing along to country hits such as Achy Breaky Heart by Billy Ray Cyrus and John Denver classic Take Me Home, Country Roads.
Kirsty Watson, Lifestyle Manager and driving force for the western afternoon, said, ‘It was so much fun dressing up and getting involved in the denim for dementia challenge, it means so much to us to be able to support the Alzheimer’s Society and all of the work they do. Our barn dance was brilliant, and our residents definitely had fun, there were lots of ‘Yee-Has’!’.
Faye Mitchell, fundraising champion for the Alzheimer’s Society and creator of the ‘Denim for Dementia’ challenge, raised over £40,000 for the charity in 2020. She said, ‘I personally have felt the impact of dementia on my family, and I am thrilled to have turned this into something positive. The support from Windsor Court means the world to me, I love the western spin they brought to the challenge, and I cannot thank them enough for their contributions!
Home Manager (and Sheriff for the day), Paula Mountjoy, said, ‘We had so much fun at our fundraiser! Our Lifestyle Manager, Kirsty, knows just how to add a special touch to any event to make it all the more memorable and she really hit the mark with our western theme! Everyone was really excited to take part, and we even had a selfie station for our residents and staff to capture memories from the day!
It is important to us at Windsor Court to support Dementia Action Week, as it is something very close to our hearts and we are keen to spread the important messages that the Alzheimer’s Society stand for’.
Windsor Court, operated by Ideal Carehomes, is a residential and dementia care home boasting a hair salon, café, cinema and convenience store. The home, which has recently been rated as ‘GOOD’ by the Care Quality Commission, is currently welcoming new residents for short and long term placements. For more information, call Paula on 01937 586 651 or visit https://ichlive1.wpengine.com
Photo description: NAME, JOB, embraced the cowboy theme and delighted residents with her impressive ‘Yee-Haws’.