Mason Moore | Hinckley Reporter | 4 March 2023

RESIDENTS of a sheltered housing scheme in Hinckley have came together to raise money for a local charity whose volunteers help transport blood, blood products, and medical equipment.

Tenants of the Armada Court care home on King George’s Way held a fundraiser in aid of Leicestershire and Rutland Blood Bikes, after resident Marie McCann spotted a leaflet of theirs in a local bank branch.

Armada Court is an independent living sheltered housing scheme, managed and owned by Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, with a ‘supportive’ community who have help from staff on-site.

Their fundraiser was held on 1 February, with the support of scheme manager Charlotte Hall, and staff from the borough’s other sheltered housing schemes – Emma Woods, Jennifer Gardner and Jane Kirk.

It recieved an impressive total of more than £1,176 to help the cause, thanks to donations from the tenants, their families, a raffle, food, and even a musical performance from local singer Debbie Lacey.

It recieved donations from Hinckley’s Morrisons and Sainsburys supermarkets, as well as SG Cleaners, and local charity D&H Community.

Charlotte Hall, Scheme Manager of Armada Court, said: “We were very grateful to have been able to have Jim, who lives locally and drives the Blood Bikes car, and Ian Birnie, who came along on one of the Blood Bikes to speak with the tenants and explain a little of what they do.

“After an amazing afternoon and getting to know the Blood Bike volunteers, we had a chance to count up what was raised, and the grand total was an amazing £1,176.54. This was a massive achievement. The tenants are immensely proud of what they managed to raise in just a few weeks.”

Ms. Hall concluded: “The tenants here at Armada Court have been amazing and so very supportive of this charity and I feel very proud to say I work with them on a daily basis.”

“It’s brilliant to see local tenants in Hinckley and Bosworth getting together to help such a great cause. For the tenants of Armada Court to have raised over a £1,000 is a great achievement”, said Coun. Michael Mullaney, the Borough Council’s Executive Member for Housing and Community Safety.

Councillor Mullaney thanked the tenants for their fundraising efforts, adding: “I thank them for all they have done.”