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Each season, the Club and its Members support and fundraise for a local or national charity and, for the 2025-2026 season, the Club voted to fundraise for Friends of the Elderly’s Wallington Day Care Service.
Club Member and Charity Secretary, Marie Kaune said:
“We decided to support Wallington Day Care in honour of our former Treasurer, Sue Smith. Sue was not only our Treasurer, but a Club Member for over 40 years and was a client at Wallington Day Care.”
Melanie Pheasant, has been the Administrator at Wallington Day Care for over 17 years and has fond memories of Sue:
“Sue was a client at the Day Care Centre from August 2021 to January 2023. She was a friendly lady who often spoke about her love of Badminton and the Club. She was still very passionate about the game and proud of her achievements over her 40 years of being a Member and the Treasurer.”
Nicky Davies, the Manager at Wallington Day Care said:
“It’s wonderful to be St. Margaret’s Badminton’s Charity of Choice this season. To hear that the Members are aiming to fundraise £3,000 for us is overwhelming.”
To get their fundraising activities off to a flying, ‘smashing’ start, the Members took on an enormous challenge — a 100km bike ride over the Surrey Hills — which they completed on Sunday 29th June.
Nicky continued:
“Marie and Kieren Easton, the Club’s other Charity Secretary, recently visited us at Wallington Day Care to tell us about their amazing cycling event and to have a chat about their fundraising ideas and Club Members volunteering at the Day Care Centre.
“We talked about new interactive and inclusive activities they could host for our clients, one of which was Seated Badminton played with balloons. This will be great because at Wallington Day Care we ensure the clients have the opportunity to participate in a diverse and wide range of meaningful activities. For St. Margaret’s to host Seated Badminton, which is a fun and modified version of the sport, I know it will definitely be something the clients will enjoy taking part in.”
There are many other benefits for the clients of taking part in the Seated Badminton sessions. Nicky added:
“Seated Badminton promotes social interaction and physical activity, as well as helping hand to eye coordination and developing agility as the clients will be hitting the balloon back and forth, just like a shuttlecock. The sessions will also be an excellent opportunity for more connectivity between the clients and volunteers whilst, at the same time, boosting confidence and self-esteem.”
Shirley Bradley, Friends of the Elderly’s Head of Day Care Services said:
“Other meaningful activities at Wallington Day Care include cultural pursuits, arts and craft sessions, hand and nail care, quizzes, interactive light exercise classes and reminiscence sessions where the clients share their memories, which is also an added, extra way the Care Team can learn more about each individual.
“We use our person-centred approach to creating all our meaningful activities. We pay attention to the clients, listen to what they like to do, when they like to do it. The Care Team gets creative to ensure each individual feels included, motivated and engaged. The Seated Badminton will be a fantastic addition to our activities calendar.”
Marie added:
“We’re very proud to support and fundraise for Friends of the Elderly’s Wallington Day Care Service. It’s such a fantastic charity and service which does so much for older people, especially those living with dementia.
“Everyone at St. Margaret’s Badminton Club is excited to be part of the fundraising activities, to interact with the clients and to see the real, tangible impact all our efforts will have.”
Nicky concluded:
“We are extremely grateful to all the Members at St. Margaret’s Badminton Club for selecting Wallington Day Care as their fundraising charity this season. It will be lovely to be supported by them, give the clients new and fun activities to participate in and it’s also a lovely way to honour Sue.
“Having additional visitors and volunteers from the Badminton Club, coupled with new, inclusive and fun activities, will be wonderful for the clients’ physical and mental wellbeing. We are all looking forward to getting our ‘shuttle’ on and having a ‘smashing’ time.”
St. Margaret’s Badminton Club Serves Up Support: A Smashing Partnership
The partnership between St. Margaret’s Badminton Club and Friends of the Elderly’s Wallington Day Care Service exemplifies the power of community and the positive impact of sports on well-being, especially for those living with dementia and other age-related conditions. This article delves deeper into this heartwarming collaboration, highlighting the specific benefits of the fundraising efforts and the introduction of inclusive activities like Seated Badminton.
Key Fundraising and Activity highlights
| Activity | Goal | Impact on Clients | Details |
|—|—|—|—|
| 100km Bike Ride | Raise £3,000 | Supports essential services at Wallington Day Care | Completed on June 29th, a testament to the club members’ commitment. |
| Seated Badminton | Enhance physical activity and social interaction | Improves hand-eye coordination, agility, and boosts confidence. | A modified version of the sport, promoting inclusivity and fun. |
| Volunteer Involvement | Increase client engagement and social connectivity | provides emotional support,companionship,and reduces feelings of isolation. | Club members will participate in activities and create a amiable surroundings. |
| Diversified activity Calendar | Provide a wide range of meaningful experiences | Enhances mental sharpness and overall quality of life. | Includes cultural pursuits, arts and crafts, interactive exercises, and reminiscence sessions. |
SEO-Friendly FAQ Section
This section answers common questions, enhancing search visibility and user engagement.
Q: What is Friends of the Elderly’s Wallington day Care Service?
A: The Wallington Day Care Service provides vital support to individuals living with dementia and other age-related conditions by providing safe spaces and tailored activities.
Q: Why did St. Margaret’s Badminton Club choose Wallington Day Care as their charity?
A: The club chose Wallington day Care to honor sue Smith, a former club treasurer and client of the day care service for over 40 years.
Q: What is Seated Badminton, and how is it beneficial?
A: Seated Badminton is a modified version of badminton designed to be inclusive and accessible. it promotes physical activity, improves hand-eye coordination, encourages social interaction, and boosts confidence, all while bringing the joy of badminton.
Q: what other activities does Wallington Day Care offer?
A: The day care offers a diverse range of activities, including cultural pursuits, arts and crafts, hand and nail care, quizzes, interactive exercise classes, and reminiscence sessions.
Q: How can I get involved or support the fundraising efforts?
A: Contact St. Margaret’s Badminton Club directly to learn more about the different ways you can contribute. Alternatively, look for details about the fundraising thru the Friends of the Elderly or relevant news outlets covering the partnership. Participating in or donating to their events makes a real difference in bettering the life quality of older people.
This partnership between St.Margaret’s Badminton Club and Friends of the elderly’s Wallington Day Care Service is a beautiful illustration of how sports and community support improve the lives of people in need. By focusing on inclusive activities like Seated Badminton and ongoing fundraising initiatives, this collaboration is building a lasting legacy of friendship and support.