Small steps, big hearts: How Brackley care home residents smashed the Katharine House Hospice accumulator challenge
At Brackley Care Home, community isn’t just about the people under our roof—it’s about the incredible organizations that support us all. Katharine House Hospice (KHH) is a cause incredibly dear to our hearts.
Over the years, we’ve shared deep connections with many treasured friends who have transitioned from the care of KHH to live with us here at Brackley Care Home. So, when the Katharine House Hospice Accumulator Challenge crossed our desks, our residents didn’t just sign up—they spurred into action with a competitive spirit and a lot of heart.
Turning Pennies into Pounds
The challenge began with a small "seed fund" of £50 given to us by KHH, and our residents immediately took the reins as savvy entrepreneurs. Their first venture? A classic Christmas Hamper. They enjoyed a festive shopping trip to hand-pick items for the raffle. However, their creativity didn't stop at retail and it was residents Daphne and Pip's idea to bring the outdoors in and they led the charge in crafting beautiful decorated pine-cones. These served a dual purpose: adorning our home's beautiful Christmas tree and being sold as bespoke decorations to visitors. Between the raffle tickets and the pine-cone sales, the residents celebrated raising £195.
A "Healthy Return" on Love
Following the holiday success, the group looked toward February. The reinvested a portion of their earnings to curate a decadent Valentine's Hamper. The buzz around the home was electric, and the effort paid off handsomely and the draw raised £155 leading resident Jean to joke that it was a "very healthy return on their investment!". The Hamper was won by the daughter of one of our residents.
Turning Trinkets into Treasure: The New Year Table Top Sale
Our residents then put their heads together and came up with the golden opportunity to turn post-Christmas clutter into vital funding. The idea was born from a simple realization: many of us start 2026 with a few extra "unwanted" gifts or the simple desire to declutter our homes and the idea of having a Table Top Sale became a reality and they put out an appeal to the community for donations. They then spent hours organizing the stalls, ensuring that every "pre-loved" items was displayed to catch the eye and on the day manned the stalls and sold raffle tickets. They were so proud to raise a total of £340.
The Grand Finale: The Sponsored Walk
The most inspiring chapter of their fundraise journey, however, was the Sponsored Walk. Residents challenged themselves to walk the full length of the care home-from one end to the other and back again. While the distance might seem simple to some, for our residents, it was a marathon of determination. Their physical effort resonated deeply with friends and family, resulting in an incredible total of £452.50 in sponsorships.
Stephanie Eley, Home Manager, said: "We are so very proud of every step they took. To see the residents so motivated to give back to Katharine House Hospice has been truly moving."
The Total Impact
Through a mix of crafting, clever investing, and physical perseverance, the residents of Brackley Care Home have proven that you are never too old to make a massive difference. We are thrilled to donate these funds totalling £1143.50 to Katharine House Hospice to help them continue their vital work in our community.