Clients and staff from Health & Social Care Moray’s Moray Resource Centre (MRC) rolled up their sleeves and got busy in the kitchen to serve up a fabulous feast of a fundraiser.
They threw open the doors of the Elgin day service and invited family and friends to join them for a bumper big breakfast.
Thanks to their efforts and the generosity of everyone who came along, the centre collected the impressive total of £2,022. A donation of £150 has gone to the STV Children’s Appeal to support projects helping children living in poverty in Scotland, while the rest has been banked for the MRC clients’ comfort fund.
MRC provides a welcoming, safe and stimulating environment for vulnerable adults living in the west of Moray. Support staff offer a range of activities and support for people who are isolated, who have mobility and sensory issues, or mild to moderate dementia.
Each member of staff takes a turn at coming up with a theme for the week’s activities programme, explained Julie Robertson, Day Centre Officer, and after hearing clients talking about the STV Big Scottish Breakfast campaign, Support Worker Gail Stewart thought it would be a great idea to get everyone joining in the annual fundraiser.
Gail said: “Everyone got involved in the activities leading up to our MRC Big Breakfast. We got to work making fudge and jam, gathered donations of bottles for the bottle staff and prizes for the raffle. We sold lucky squares, put together hampers and made floral arrangements for the breakfast tables.”
Over 120 people came along on the day to enjoy breakfast in return for a donation, and to buy the homemade goods and try their luck at winning a prize.
“All the clients and staff worked so hard to make this a success. We were delighted by the support and amazed by everyone’s generosity. Clients who don’t normally attend MRC on a Friday came along with family and friends, including some who used the m.connect bus service, with our transport unit bus drivers bringing in our usual attendees,” Gail added.
“We asked for donations in return for breakfast and raised £150 for the STV Children’s Appeal. The £1,872 raised for the clients’ comfort fund including a wonderful £100 donation from one family. Our clients will be in charge of deciding how to spend the funds and have already begun discussing ideas for festive activities and days out in the run up to Christmas.”
MRC is open five days a week, Monday to Friday. The day service has a focus on reducing loneliness and social isolation in individuals who benefit from staff support to socialise and take part in activities. The service also provides unpaid carers with the opportunity to take a break from their caring role.
Rebecca Sharp, Day Service Coordinator, said: “The staff team work incredibly hard every day to provide a supportive and creative environment for those who attend. The success of this event is a testament to their commitment, continued efforts and attentiveness to detail while supporting our clients to fulfil and accomplish their goals.
“The overall support for our day service and this event has been wonderful. Thank you to the families, friends, carers, our community, our day service colleagues and the Health & Social Care Partnership for their support.”
MRC clients and staff would like to say a special thank you to Rothes butcher Tawse & Son, Tesco in Elgin and Marjory Ross for their generous donations towards the breakfast and to all local businesses who kindly donated raffle prizes.
