The Barker-Mill Foundation (BMF) has shown its support to Winchester based charity, Brendoncare Clubs, with a donation of £3,152.
The donation from BMF will help cover the costs of running the Brendoncare Marchwood, Ringwood and Totton kurling clubs, as well as giving the means to fund two further kurling competitions this year.
Kurling is a game based on the Olympic sport of ice curling, but played indoors with stones which run on ball bearings. It is designed to be accessible, so even people with limited mobility are able to play. Keeping active in older age is important for maintaining quality of life and wellbeing. Despite this, just 42% of people aged 65 or over meet the recommended level of weekly physical activity.
James Morley, Fundraising Assistant at Brendoncare Clubs said “We rely on fundraising to be able to support our clubs. We actively fundraise in the community, through events and by applying to trusts and foundations. This support enables us to reach vulnerable and isolated older people in communities across Hampshire and Dorset.
“We’ve previously received grants from the BMF, most recently in 2011 where a £2,000 grant helped us deliver activities in eight clubs in Hampshire and now we’ve received further funds to keep our kurling clubs going. The older people who attend really look forward to the sessions and we’d like to thank the BMF for their support over the years.”
Brendoncare runs a network of social clubs for older people across Hampshire and Dorset, which include a range of activity clubs such as table tennis, keep fit classes, tai chi and kurling. A 2016 survey of Brendoncare’s club members showed that over 60% felt that taking part in physical activity, like kurling, had improved their mobility.
Tim Jobling, Trustee at BMF said: “We wanted to show our support to Brendoncare Clubs as it empowers older people in local communities to remain active and independent. The charity provides great support to our older neighbours and I’m pleased many can continue to enjoy the kurling clubs!”
To find out more about Brendoncare Clubs or about how you could support the charity, please visit: http://www.brendoncare.org.uk/.