For release Tuesday 11 March 2008

Guild Care 75^th Anniversary Challenge

To mark Guild Care’s 75^th Anniversary the charity is launching an appeal today to raise £75,000 to enhance the lives of older people and carers in and around Worthing. The charity has been at the cutting edge of social care in the town since 1933.

As part of the Appeal, Guild Care is asking local people and groups to sign up to the Guild Care Challenge to raise £75, £750 or even £7,500 for Guild Care. A Challenge Pack is available with an exciting A to Z of fundraising ideas, to plan indoors or out and suitable for participants of all ages.

Antonia Bunnin, Chief Executive said “Guild Care holds a special place in the heart of the Worthing community and we hope that many people will want to sign up for the Challenge and show their support. Every individual, school, community organisation, business or group of friends who achieves the Challenge will receive a special certificate to say thank you and congratulations. And we plan to present special awards to recognise those who raised the most.”

“The money raised will be used to make a real difference to lives of older people and carers in and around Worthing. It will benefit users across our services, from older people coming to our Healthy Living Centre and community clubs, to those living in our care homes, or carers looking after someone with dementia or a child with special needs. We hope that lots of people will support us and enjoy taking the Guild Care 75^th Anniversary Challenge.!”

“ You can download a Guild Care Challenge Pack from our website on www.guildcare.org, email  fundraising@guildcare.org or phone the Fundraising Team on 01903 528630.”

Guild Care, established in 1933, provides an extensive range of innovative services for older people, people with dementia, carers and children with special needs.  It is a local charity serving Worthing, West Sussex and surrounding areas.  Guild Care’s ethos is to promote the independence, wellbeing and happiness of all those it works with.

Examples of how the money will be spent:

·     £8 will pay for a trial bath with a support worker in the assisted bathing room at our Healthy Living Centre, for a frail older person who cannot manage at home

·       £25 will pay for a film night for 12 young people with special needs at the Ashdown Youth Club

·     £75 will pay for a swimming session at a private pool for five Healthy Living Centre users

·     £100 will pay for a theatre trip for ten residents from one of our care homes

·     £150 will pay for two sessions with a music therapist for a group of people with dementia using our Time Out For Carers service, at the Healthy Living Centre

·     £500 will pay for a greenhouse for one of our care homes, for residents who enjoy gardening

·       £1000 will pay for a motorised wheelchair for one of our care homes

For further details or a press “Challenge Pack” please contact:

Julia Johnson

Communications Manager

Guild Care, Methold House, North Street, Worthing, BN11 1DU

Direct Line: 01903 529779

Mobile: 07814 687 690

Email: julia.johnson@guildcare.org