News

£8000 Donation For Retirement Village New Year Wish List

5th January 2009

An 82 year old lady from West Bridgeford has given her £8000 church organ to the Lark Hill Retirement Village Appeal. It's the first donation on a new year wish list that will fill the Village Centre with essential health and leisure equipment before the scheme opens in late spring 2009.

Mary Mack, who is moving to the Village with husband, Albert, only started learning the organ at the age of 70 and subsequently played in her local parish church.

Commenting on her donation, she says: "It's never too late to learn something new, so I wanted to give the instrument to the appeal to support musical interests in the Village Hall.

"The Village is doing so much to ensure that the over 60's in Nottingham can remain healthy and active - it’s important that business and the community continue to support this worthwhile cause."

Set up by The ExtraCare Charitable Trust, the Lark Hill Village Appeal has to raise a remaining £155,000 to fund the £3m Village Centre, which is purpose-built to foster social opportunities and activities amongst older people across the City.

Wheelchair aerobics, essential well-being advice, computer skills, gardening and music lessons are to be included on a list of community activities designed to support an expanding population of city elders, especially those who are isolated and with limited financial means.

Lark Hill Appeal Vice Chair, Caryl Moore, comments: "We know that the symptoms of loneliness and isolation, even for elderly couples, has a significant, detrimental affect on their health. I believe this Village Centre offers a bright opportunity for our elders and offers a community setting where older people can meet and thrive. We should all support it. Mary's New Year donation is incredibly generous and an example to us all."

Lark Hill Village Centre will include: a village hall, gym, spa pool, steam room, laundrette, woodwork shop, IT centre, library, craft room, shop, restaurant, cafe bar, relaxation room, well-being centre, hairdressers, beauty salon, greenhouse and landscaped gardens. Facilities, activities and events will be open to both residents and the over 60's across Nottingham. Access will be affordable for all and supported by The ExtraCare Charitable Trust.

Equipment Shopping List

Examples of items needed from businesses or individuals on the shopping list:

  • Chairs for a village hall
  • Cutlery sets for the restaurant
  • Sofas and armchairs for the café bar
  • Tables and chairs for a restaurant
  • Fitness equipment for a gym
  • A piano for the cafe
  • Garden and greenhouse tools Indoor and outdoor games
  • Mobility scooters and wheelchairs

If you can supply items or would like to make a donation, please phone Caryl Moore on M: 0774 028 3962.