A care home has been lifting spirits and raising money while singing classic musical numbers every afternoon for seven days.
Abbeyfield Care Home in Radcliffe came up with the idea to sing for charity, giving residents something fun to take part in as well as raising money for the Ukraine Appeal.
Residents have been sitting together in the lounge room, singing hits like 'Somewhere Over A Rainbow' and 'Dancing Queen', with everyone singing along happily.
Beverly Williams, the housekeeper who has been with the home for 16 years, said: “It’s like one big happy family.
“Two years ago, I was listening to Radio Manchester, and it came on about make a difference and I thought we could make a difference too, so we did a sponsored walk and raised £500 which we split between Bury Hospice and Radcliffe Rotary.
“Last year we did a danceathon and raised quite a bit of money.
“So, this year it’s a singathon, and if we can raise some money and help make a difference and with the present situation in Ukraine, some if it will be going towards helping there.”
In total, they managed to raise £365 over a week of singing.
Beverley said: “We chose 10 songs from musicals that we all know. We love musicals here and Tony will put one on every evening and have a large screen.
“So, he chose them and printed them out and it lasted the week singing our hearts out and people are welcome to come in.
“Bearing in mind the physical wellbeing of residents so we have to do something that everybody can join in, done the dancing and walking, so will have to think of something different next time.”
The week ended with family and friends of residents coming together to join in.
Cllr Yvonne Creswell said: “Abbeyfield Bury is like having an extended family because you get to know everybody personally and go to bed at night and worry about them because it’s like your family and all support each other and I think it’s the best in Bury.
“It’s all to raise money for the community and started by money donated by Bury people and has got to stay in Bury and be run by Bury people.
“The residents here are also so charitable, whatever they have they also give, along with their families.”
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Financial transactions are with JustGiving to donate to the British Red Cross Society DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal. In the unlikely event that the British Red Cross Society raise more money than can be reasonably and efficiently spent, any surplus funds will be used to help them prepare for and respond to other humanitarian disasters anywhere in the world. For more information visit https://donate.redcross.org.uk/appeal/disaster-fund Charity Registration No. Eng/Wales 220949,Scot SC037738, IOM 0752, Jers430
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