Care home staff and residents have raised hundreds of pounds for a local leukaemia charity through a sponsored silence and a ten-mile walk.

As part of the fundraising challenge, the Old Rectory team walked from their care home in Exeter to Exmouth. 

The charity week also saw staff don fancy dress outfits for the day, take part in a quiz and cheese night, host a coffee morning.

Activity coordinator Tom Matthews, his colleagues and residents were raising money for the Exeter Leukaemia Fund (ELF).

The Southern Healthcare home’s popular and talkative kitchen assistant, John Thurston, also managed a sponsored silence for an entire shift. 

Tom Matthews said:“Our residents and staff put a lot of effort into raising money for ELF. We had a great time with a jam-packed week full of fundraising activities.”

“I’d like to say a special thank you to Jackie Brooks and Marion Lancaster, who did the first stretch of the walk and Margaret Holt and Barbara Kelly, who did the second part of the sponsored walk with myself and colleague, Nicky Martin.”

Fortunately, it was a sunny day for the walkers, who scheduled pit stops along the route for ice cream at Lympstone and lunch at Topsham Quay. 

Tom added: “John, also did his bit to raise money and everyone was quick to offer some money in return for his silence.”

Residents and staff at the care home chose to fundraise for ELF because care home manager Kerry Dempsey’s husband, spent six months on Yarty ward. During this time, ELF provided Kerry and her two young daughters with much needed support.