Balhousie Pitlochry Care Home opened its doors last Saturday for a special Christmas Fete to raise money for the residents’ comfort fund. A group of festive volunteers, headed up by the wife of a resident, organised the event raising £1,200 after welcoming many people from the local area.

Fay Tollan, whose husband Arthur moved into the care home in the summer, came up with the idea of a Christmas Fete. Fay recruited a group of enthusiastic elves/volunteers to help on the day, as well as drum up prize donations and beautiful crochet and knitwear to sell on the day.

An array of local businesses donated prizes for the tombola and raffle including Co-op, Green Park Hotel, Atholl Palace Hotel, Railway Bookshop, Morton’s Coffee Shop, Davidson’s Chemist, Honest Thistle and many more.

Not wanting to take the limelight, Fay, a ‘Mrs Claus’- like character, is keen to stress this was very much a team effort with many people helping make the event the success it was, from the person running the tombola to Anne-Marie, the carer who came in to help on her day off.

While Fay doesn’t want the credit, Pablo Vilar, Operations Manager with Balhousie Care Group, has other ideas. He said:

“We are absolutely thrilled that our Christmas Fete was such a success and we welcomed so many local people through our doors on Saturday. We’d like to take the opportunity to thank all the wonderful volunteers and staff who have their time to the event. Also, a massive thank you to all the local businesses who donated prizes for the event – the community support has been fantastic.”

Pablo continued:

“The final and biggest thank you has to be reserved for Fay. I call her ‘The Fabulous Fay’ because that’s exactly who she is to me. She brought this event together, from knocking on doors gathering prizes to recruiting volunteers to help out during the event. Her enthusiasm and support of the home has gone above-and-beyond and everyone here loves her. Thank you, Fay.”

Balhousie Pitlochry care home is currently recruiting! They are looking for a registered nurse, carers, domestic staff and a cook. Email careers@balhousiecare.co.uk or call the home on 01796 473280 for more details on vacancies.