Page 8 - link magazine

8 The Link Magazine • March 2002
Age Concern sets out to raise £50,000 Time to cash in
Francs, marks and pesetas and
in fiftieth year other Euro currencies are now use-
less in Euroland.
It's not only the Queen who celebrates a golden jubilee this year. Locally Age Concern, Swindon marks "Cash in those coins buried
its fiftieth year as the largest voluntary organisation helping older people in the town make more of life. around the house," says BBC Wilt-
The management committee has get that bit of help when they need ing closely with the health and shire Sound's Shirley Ludford, be-
set itself the target of raising it and are recognised as active citi- social services. low. "Age Concern can put them to
£50,000 through concerts, zens forthe contribution they make." Despite threats of grant cut backs good use whilst banks are still ex-
fundraising events and direct ap- In 1952 there were about 4,000 from Swindon Council, Jo says Age changing foreign currency."
peals to businesses. Community older people in the town. Today, Concern is looking forward to the Put the coins in a bag or enve-
groups, schools, sports teams, of- 61,500 people over the age of 50 challenges. The proportion of lope and drop it into Age Concern,
fices, pubs and individuals are also live in and around Swindon. older people in the population is 14 Milton Road, Swindon or call
being asked to organise events. Age Concern campaigns for bet- growing and the number of over 692166 if it's too heavy to carry.
At the launch of the Golden Ju- ter pensions at a national level and, 85s is increasing, which is why we
bilee Appeal, Age Concern Swin- with an army of 230 local volun- are appealing to the Swindon com-
don director Jo Osorio said, "this is teers putting in hundreds of hours munity for its support."
t
a very exciting time for us. We're every week, provides direct prac- To play a part in the 50 ' anni-
celebratingtheachievementsofthe tical help, home visits, informa- versary celebrations, call Jacquie
last 50 years and looking forward tion and advice, as well as work- Sheppard on 692166.
to the next in a society which needs
to value age and experience as At the Golden Jubilee Appeal launch, from left, Mike Brougham, chairman,
never before, where older people appeal organiser Jacquie Sheppard, the Bishop of Swindon Rt Rev Michael
Doe, Mayoress Jenni Dean, Mayor David Cox, the Lord Lieutenant of
Art Exhibition Wiltshire, Sir Maurice Johnston, Director of Age Concern Swindon Jo Osorio flu
H
U7
Saturday 16 T,
& Sunday 17 March
in aid of Age Concern Swindon Older in Peatmoor
Blooms Garden Centre, Hay Lane Over 55s get together on the first
Monday of the month at Peatmoor
Community Primary School for
coffee, tea and chat.
Newcomers are invited to turn
up and join in on Monday 4 March,
10am to 11.30am. The discussion
will focus on future meetings,
speakers and events.

A very tasty start
Friends and Food, a new weekly lunch club at Freshbrook Commu-
nity Centre, has had a successful launch and is looking for more
members to join.
Fourteen people enjoyed a roast ers will be invited to talk about
lunch on Monday 4 February, but topics of interest.
there are places for up to forty. Commenting on the cooking, Mo
Originally the plan was to have Welch from Uxbridge Road,
lunch delivered from a school Freshbrook, said, "it was a lovely
kitchen, but newly retired Carol tasty lunch. Carol and her volun-
Gibbon from Rodbourne heard teer helpers have done us proud."
that a cook was needed and volun- The cost of lunch is £2.40 which
teered her services, has to be booked by 11.30am on
Carol was brought up in a hotel the preceding Thursday.
and attended catering college be- The club is open to any retired or
fore becoming a civil servant, disabled person in West Swindon.
Friends and Food offers more Call Lorraine Webb during office
than just lunch. A social club opens hours on 871017 to make a book-
at 10am for coffee, cards and a ing or if you can offer to help pre-
We have a number of properties throughout chat. If members are keen, speak- pare, serve and clear up.
the Swindon area, providing accommodation
Carol serves the first lunch at Friends and Food with volunteer helpers,
for a comfortable yet independent retirement. standin; ri;'ht, Lorraine Webb and Pam Pixton
,
,
Please call us for further details on
01672 515622

James Butcher
Housing Association

Providing accommodation throughout the central and south of England.
A chanty, incorporated as an Industrial and Provident Society No. 16602 R.