Fundraiser for fire-hit Sunderland care home smashes target in just hours
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Thirty people were inside the building at the time the fire was first reported, at 10.32am on Friday, June 26, and a total of 43 firefighters attended the scene. Residents were temporarily moved to the nearby Holy Cross nursing home, also known as the Little Sisters.
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Hide AdLocal businesswoman and fundraiser, Jolene Casey, leapt into action and set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for the home. She set an initial target of £1,000. Within hours generous members of the community had donated over £3,500.
Jolene has a string of fundraisers behind her. Recently this included helping to raise thousands for good causes related to Covid-19.
A delighted Jolene said: “I was just coming out of The Range and could see the smoke. I found out when I got home what had happened.
“They appealed for things like pyjamas, dressing gowns and slippers and people have given them generously. So I though I would raise some money.
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Hide Ad“We only started with a target of £1,000, but I’m hoping for £5,000 now. If this money can make them happy, I’m happy.
“I’ve spoken with the manager. She can go out and get whatever they need. I was going to buy the stuff for them, but I’ll just pass it over as they’ll know what to do with it.
“Hopefully it’s a good little start for the residents. I just hope this somehow makes them happy. Anything that’s for the community – I’ll be there.”
The Croft Care Home, next to Barnes Park, is an independent home which helps look after residents including a number who have dementia. It has 33 bedrooms and also runs a separate three-bedroom bungalow for those in need of a higher level of care and support.
To contribute, visit www.gofundme.com/f/21upy1uc00.