The Chestnuts Summer Fete returns and raises over £700

The Chestnuts, a community-based care home in Aylesbury run by Ambient Support, raised over £700 thanks to the return of their annual Summer Fete this week. The event was officially opened by Downtown Abbey actor, Peter Egan who is brother to one of the people supported at the service.

The gardens at the Chestnuts were transformed into a traditional British summer fete with hook-a-duck, lucky dip, tombola, a hot dog stand, an ice-cream van, cake and Pimm’s stalls, tombola, and raffle. The local petting zoo, The Bucks Goat Centre, brought goats and ferrets for people to pet and hold.

The event was enjoyed by the people supported at the care home, their family and friends and members of the local community, with all proceeds directly benefiting the care home.

The garden at the chestnuts i sbusy with people looking at the tombola stall, and the building is in the background

The Garden Party Atmosphere Was Enjoyed By AllThe garden-party atmosphere was enjoyed by all

a lady from bucks goat centre crouches down next to a goat while a young boy strokes it

All Ages Enjoyed Petting The Animals From The Bucks Goat CentreAll ages enjoyed petting the animals from The Bucks Goat Centre

a busy garden with the building in the background and blue sky overhead

The Chestnuts Gardens Were Transformed For The DayThe Chestnuts gardens were transformed for the day

two ladies stand behind a cake stall with lots of homemade cakes . they are smiling.

Maureen Buck, And Julie Parkyn From Ambient SupportMaureen Buck, and Julie Parkyn from Ambient Support

three older people, two ladies and a man are sitting down on chairs outside and eating an ice cream

People Supported By Ambient’s The Chestnuts, Enjoying The DayPeople supported by Ambient’s the Chestnuts, enjoying the day

different assortments of homemade cakes, some cupcakes and some larger cakes

Many Family Members Supported The Day By Baking Cakes For All To EnjoyMany family members supported the day by baking cakes for all to enjoy

a table full of raffle prizes, some alcoholic beverages, chocolate and much more

Generous Donations From Family, Friends And Ambient Staff Ensured Money Was Raised For The ChestnutsGenerous donations from family, friends and Ambient staff ensured money was raised for the Chestnuts

Actor, Peter Egan officially opened the fete with a welcoming speech, he said:

“It’s wonderful to be here today. My brother is here, he’s a resident at this wonderful care home, the Chestnuts, and they look after all of their guests here really beautifully. I’m very, very happy and feel very lucky that he is here. Big round of applause for everyone here today, have a great day.”

Simone Cotter, Manager at The Chestnuts, says:

“It was a joyful celebration, and we are incredibly thankful to the families and staff who donated gifts, baked cakes, and gave up their time to create such a fantastic event. We work extremely hard to provide a friendly, supportive, and welcoming home from home environment at the Chestnuts and believe that everyone deserves to live a meaningful and full life regardless of age and through this event we’ve not only raised money for the people we support but given them and their families memories to cherish.
“It was wonderful to see different family members mingle together and talk about their experiences of the care home, we received some really good feedback about how lovely the Chestnuts is which is always good to hear, especially as the staff teams go above and beyond on a daily basis.”
Simone Cotter, Manager of The Chestnuts, Actor Peter Egan, and Carla Downie, Activity Organiser

Mick Egan, who is supported at the Chestnuts, says:

“It was a lovely day with lots of joy and laughter. There were people of all ages having fun, just like a family garden party. A really happy day.”
Maureen Buck, Actor Peter Egan With His Brother Mick Egan Who Is Supported By The Chestnuts And Dawn Rickard

The Chestnuts is a community-based residential care home in Aylesbury able to provide a home to 64 people, and can support up to 48 residents with specific dementia care needs.

Find out more about the service here.

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