Chesterfield care home boss's challenge raises £1,770 for residents

Zenka Shires is deputy manager at Chatsworth Lodge Care Home in Chesterfield. Staff at the home have taken it upon themselves to ensure that raising money for the residents fund doesn’t suffer because of the restrictions of Covid-19 which prevent visitors from supporting raffles and fairs.

Confident walker Zenka’s fundraising mission took her on a long-distnace trail between Ilam and Eyam.

Apart from watching several online videos on how to map read, Zenka went into the fundraising walk without prior knowledge or experience in independent navigation.

She faced the three days completely alone - something she has never tackled before.

Armed with only a guidebook, view ranger and map, she faced many challenges along the way including being solely in charge of her own navigation.

The walk took three days and consisted of ten miles the first day, 20 miles the second and 18.5 miles on the final day.

Zenka said: “I stayed in youth hostels and AirBnB accommodation during my walk to keep costs down to a minimum.”

Her route took her to the famous plague village of Eyam where villagers in the 1660s were able to stop the spread of the disease and save the lives of thousands of people in the surrounding area.

Zenka was aiming to raise £100 but to date has raised £590. She said: “Orchard Care Homes has matched my fundraising efforts by adding £2 for every £1 raised so the total amount stands at £1,770 and I am absolutely delighted.”

Chatsworth Lodge Care Home on Chatsworth Road, Chesterfield, is part of Orchard Care Homes’ network of specialist residential and short-term respite care residences.

The network provides care in the Midlands and North of England, offering nursing support, respite and dementia nursing in a compassionate and safe environment for residents along with reassurance to families and friends.

Headquartered in Harrogate, Yorkshire, Orchard Care Homes has been running and managing care homes across the UK for more than a decade.