Fields Farm in Whaplode set to host family fun day to raise funds for Alzheimer’s charity
The owner of a newly opened nature play and therapy site is set to host a family fun day to raise vital funds for charity – and hopes it will help tackle the ‘lack of resources’ for individuals living with Alzheimer’s.
After working in adult social care for more than 13 years, Kate Heywood is no stranger to experiencing first hand crises in the service.
The family moved to Fields Farm in Whaplode three years ago and have been busy renovating the site to make way for their new venture – which officially opened last month.
Kate and her business partner Charlotte Cresswell will host their first family fun day event this weekend on Sunday, May 11.
“We wanted to host this event to promote the opening of our farm and to raise vital funds for Alzheimer’s Society. Kate said.
“Through working in social care, I deal with people affected by the disease day in and out.
“We see the same situations of people in crisis because of a lack of resources and we need to raise awareness about it.”
The fundraiser will be held at the farm between 11am and 3pm.
Visitors will get the chance to meet some of the four legged residents at the site which include alpacas, donkeys, rabbits, chickens, ducks and peacocks.
There will also be an outdoor messy play area for the kids to get creative, a bouncy castle, face painting, tombola and various stalls featuring local businesses and food vendors.
Alongside the charity fun day, Kate and a group of her friends will be taking part in the Trek26 challenge in the Lake District at the end of May.
Kate added: “We all have lived experience of Alzheimer’s – I’ve had family members who were impacted by it.
“All of us are very passionate about it and after working in Essex, Norfolk and Lincolnshire in social services, the lack of resources is an issue across the UK.
“We see severe cases where people are at crisis as a result of it being ignored – it's all about having that knowledge and being able to prevent the need for services down the line.”
Kate and her friends all have a target of £300 and hope to raise £1,800 in total for the charity.
If you would like to donate click here.
Fields Farm is now a registered community interest company and is looking towards expanding and encouraging more people to support it.
Some of the workshops Kate and Charlotte have previously hosted include outdoor yoga, themed afternoon teas, soundology, children's activities and more.
Kate added: “Things on the farm are going really well. We’ve got a really good community engagement which is amazing and we’re just looking forward to the future.”
For more information or to contact the farm, visit Fields Farm on Facebook.
