We are extremely proud to announce that Lisieux Trust resident, Janet, has completed a Marathon!

Starting on 1 June 2021, Janet committed to pacing steps towards the 26.2 mile mark around her Care Home. With Janet’s disability reducing her mobility, she made the decision to complete the course in small daily stints.

With Janet’s mobility in mind, the challenge was gruelling for Janet, but each day she woke up, determined to reach her goal.

On 30 June 201, Janet took her final step over the finishing line; cheered on by her Support Workers and fellow residents.

Janet had dreamed of completing a Marathon for a very long time. She brought the idea to her Key Worker, Emma McEvilly, who helped Janet to come up with a plan to achieve this goal.

Both understood that the achievement wouldn’t come without its challenges, but they were driven by Janet’s unwavering motivation to make her Mum proud.

Janet completed the marathon for her Mother, who has Dementia. She took on the challenge to raise funds for Alzheimer’s Society; a cause very close to her heart.

Janet had hoped to raise £500 for the charity. However, touching many with her story and commitment, she has so far managed to raise a huge £1,065.

To celebrate her fantastic achievement, Janet was awarded a certificate and medal from the Lisieux Trust team. Alzheimer’s Society further gifted Janet with two t-shirts and a medal for her support, which Janet has loved wearing.

It is hoped that in the coming weeks, the achievement will be properly celebrated with a garden party within Lisieux Trust.

Speaking of her achievement, Janet said: “I am really proud of myself.  I’ve always wanted to do a Marathon. Now, I’m thinking about what to do next!”

To contribute to Janet’s fundraiser, please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/janet-wakeham

A parent from within the Lisieux Trust community has completed a Captain Tom Challenge to raise funds for Lisieux Trust.

Bob Bright, father of a Lisieux Trust tenant, committed to fundraising by taking on a golf challenge.

He set out to chip 100 golf balls into a bucket from 10 metres away, and invited sponsors to guess how long it would take for him to achieve this goal.

The inspiration came after Bob had seen a TV clip of Captain Tom’s daughter, welcoming Brits to take part in a fundraising challenge. He saw this as an opportunity to support the organisation looking after his son.

Having experienced some hiccups during his training, peers appeared to show little faith in Bob’s abilities.

He said: “I found straight away that any balls that went into the bucket bounced straight out.

“I sent out mails to friends, relatives, and to many playing colleagues at Wishaw Golf Club. The response was great; although some had very little faith in my chipping ability.

“Time predictions varied from two hours and 48 minutes, through to 18 hours and 46 minutes.”

Wanting to perfect his swing, Bob sought support from a golf professional.

Bob said: “I have golf lessons at Lea Marston. Ben Challis changed my chipping technique and this improved my success rate enormously.”

On Saturday 1 May at 1000 hours, Bob started his challenge.

He said: “My better-half, Helen, had gone shopping and when she got back, she looked in the bucket and reckoned there was 100 in the bucket already.

“I stopped the clock and we started counting.

“There were 110 balls in the bucket!”

Despite predictions from his peers expecting a lengthy battle, Bob managed to complete his feat in just one hour and 40 minutes.

Thanks to Bob’s fantastic efforts, he managed to raise £500 for Lisieux Trust, which has been gratefully received. It is expected to be used towards an exciting activity for Lisieux Trust residents and tenants.

To find out more about how you can donate to Lisieux Trust, please visit www.lisieuxtrust.org.uk/donate. For more information on fundraising for us, head to www.lisieuxtrust.org.uk/fundraising.

Following months of restrictions, it is with great delight that we were able to recommence Lisieux Trust’s Gardening Club this month.

The Club – which convenes weekly on a Friday – is responsible for the ongoing transformation of the Head Office garden, which has seen the previously untouched land being turned into a fruitful allotment.

This year, the project will centre around converting an old pram shed into a beautiful, cosy pergola. It is expected to be enjoyed by residents, tenants, employees, and visitors during the summer sunshine.

The garden project began in June 2020, but as a result of the series of lockdown measures implemented across the country, activities were forced to a halt in October 2020.

Speaking of the decision to reinstate the club, Keith Latham, Groundsman and session leader, said: “It has been fantastic seeing the guys on a Friday again. The response has been positive overall, with everyone having fun, working together on the project.

“It’s great that the guys are outdoors again; it has brought back a sense of normality after spending a lot of time stuck at home.”

With some regular day activities and classes still yet to resume, the reinstatement of the Club has been met positively among our learning disabled and autistic community. For those who have been shielding for much of the year, the Garden Project has acted as a first move towards resuming an essence of routine and normality.

Updates on the progress of our Garden Project can be seen online, with regular photos being uploaded onto Lisieux Trust’s Facebook and Instagram pages.