Care Manager Takes the Plunge for Charity

Bield Housing And Care Press releases

Helen McLeod, second from rightA West Lothian care home is celebrating the achievements of its manager who has faced her fears by abseiling from the iconic Forth Road Bridge in a charity jump.

Helen McLeod, manager at Bield’s St Andrews Court Care Home in Uphall, abseiled 165 feet from the bridge onto the beach below in an SAS-style jump.

Helen undertook the task with eight others to raise money for St Andrews Court, in Uphall which provides dementia care for eight residents.

The jump raised £237, adding to a total of £1000 raised by the group so far.

Bield is Scotland’s leading provider of housing, care and community services for older people. The charity abseil reflects their philosophy of “Free to Be,” which allows people to control their lives whilst being given the support necessary to do so.

Another member of the St Andrews Court team, night care assistant Joanne Peters and her son Ben took part, as did the family of a care user.

Of her achievements Helen said: “We are always encouraging service users to challenge themselves and find something new, so when we looked for an adventure we chose something that would be a personal and group challenge.”

“I have done charity events in the past but this was definitely the most exciting and rewarding. We actively encourage our staff to get involved in fundraising efforts, and it was great to be joined by Joanne and Ben.”

“Our service users thought we were a bit mad but fully supported us. I’m sure some would have loved to get involved.”

 crucial

Brian Logan, Chief Executive at Bield said: “Recognising the role of fundraisers is very important as they play a crucial role within Bield.”

“We are so grateful that our care givers, their family and friends take the time to raise money for our homes. In this case Helen and the group undertook an exceptional task and in doing so highlighted our central philosophy of being unburdened by fear to face events that may at first seems terrifying but turn out to be life changing, utterly rewarding experiences.”

“We hope that more people will get involved with fundraising as it is of utmost importance to Bield and its residents.”

The money raised will go into the service user’s fund, and from there its use will be decided with participation from service users and their families.  It could be a trip out, new garden furniture or activity equipment.

Bield are a registered charity which has grown from humble beginnings, starting out with one housing development in Bo’ness in 1971, to becoming a major provider of a wide range of housing and services for around 20,000 older people across 22 local authority areas.