91-year old tenant of Surrey-based Belvedere House, the maritime care home of The Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society, has raised £5,000 for the home’s keyworkers by walking laps of the grounds for 30 days.
Inspired by Captain Tom, John Eiffes wanted to recognise the 100 hardworking keyworkers that make up the Royal Alfred workforce – including nurses, care workers, cleaners, kitchen and maintenance staff –for the around-the-clock care they have provided throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Walking 365 metres each day during his sponsored walk of 13,950km, John raised a total of £5,000 in donations. The money raised will buy each staff member a £50 voucher to thank the hard work of the staff during the pandemic.
The Society, which delivers expert care to former seafarers and their dependants, including those living with dementia, is a registered charity and was first established in 1865.
John Eiffes said of his charitable efforts: “I have been living at this home for 10 months and, from day one, the care and compassion I have received from every member of staff has been exceptional. All the tenants and residents really appreciate everything the Belvedere House staff do for us and we would have been lost without them during this very worrying time.
“I wanted to show our immense gratitude to the wonderful team and getting out to fundraise was the least I could do for the people that give so much to us every day.”
Commander Brian Boxall-Hunt, CEO at The Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society, said: “On behalf of the Society and all of our staff, we would like to say a big thank you to our tenant John who has selflessly raised funds as a token of gratitude to the Royal Alfred workforce that keep the home running each day. A very special thank you to each and every member of our team who, during the pandemic, have sacrificed spending time with their own families to take care of our residents here at Belvedere House.
“It is our keyworkers that have kept the country together in times of such distress so I’d also like to say thank you to all keyworkers including NHS frontline staff, our emergency services, supermarket workers, farmers, transport operators and teachers. In the battle against the virus, we have come together to take care of one another and I am very proud of all of our keyworker staff at the Royal Alfred, and of those across the country, we owe you all our thanks and appreciation.”
To find out more about the work of The Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society visit the charity’s website. To keep up to date with the latest news from the Society, follow and like the official Society Twitter (@RAseafarers) and Facebook pages.
