On behalf of Friends of Victoria Lodge, I would like to thank all who came along to support us at our fundraising Christmas dinner dance which was held in Coldstream Community Centre on Saturday.
I would also like to thank the many kind and generous people who contributed donations and raffle prizes. There are far too many people to name individually, but special thanks are due to Joy Thomson and Marigold Bewicke for the wonderful dinner, and to Swing Street Jazz for the enjoyable and entertaining music.
Two-and-a-half years ago, relatives of the residents of Victoria Lodge were called to an official meeting to be informed of the imminent closure of the care home.
A group of concerned relatives quickly formed and worked very hard to raise the profile of Victoria Lodge and which resulted in the home being purchased and saved from closure. In addition, it meant the avoidance of another empty building in the town and the saving of some 15 jobs.
The same group turned itself into Friends of Victoria Lodge, which is going from strength to strength, and which now provides ongoing support to the residents, staff and management of Victoria Lodge. The support offered is not only financial – a dedicated number of volunteers visit Victoria Lodge each week and help with the provision of activities and stimulation, from knitting to singing, and from hand and nail beauty treatment to reminiscing about childhood and wartime memories.
Although small in number at the dinner dance on Saturday night, the support in Coldstream and beyond for Victoria Lodge and its Friends is clear – the evening raised just over £1,500.
Craig Wood
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