Wirral Life February 2018 | Page 22

W L WIRRAL CARE HOME RESIDENTS HELP YMCA WITH CLOTHING PARCELS DURING COLDER WEATHER Residents from a Wirral care home are supporting a local youth charity with much-needed clothing parcels this winter. extremely disadvantages and under-privileged is extremely humbling. The Hazelwell, a residential, nursing, palliative and respite care home in Heswall, has made a commitment to work with the YMCA in Birkenhead and donated new hats, scarfs, gloves and other items to help people, without a home or shelter, deal with the freezing cold temperatures. “It is gratifying that people at the The Hazelwell would see the work we do at the YMCA and help by suppling winter clothes for people on the street. You don’t see that every day and it speaks volumes for human kindness. It is the first time a care home has taken an interest in us and we look forward to building a longer-term relationship with The Hazelwell.” Residents collectively decided they wanted to buy the clothing items from money raised for charity at a summer fête at the care home in Oldfield Road last summer. YMCA, a Christian charity founded by philanthropist Sir George Williams in 1844, the oldest and largest youth charity in the world. Its mission is to allow young people to belong, contribute and thrive in their local communities. Chief executive of the YMCA, Nigel Hughes, visited residents at The Hazelwell and provided a fascinating insight into the background on the work carried out by the organisation. He said: “It was an absolute pleasure to be invited to The Hazelwell and speak about the work the YMCA does on the Wirral. It’s a fabulous care home and the staff and residents were wonderful and gave me a very warm welcome. “For them to take the YMCA under their wing and be so kind and supportive with donations made to people who are 22 wirrallife.com The Hazelwell care home manager Liza Millington said: “The Hazelwell is extremely pleased to be able to do our bit to support the local YMCA in any way we can. “Nigel gave us a great understanding of how vital the work is that they carry out and how it is especially important and relevant at the moment, given the recent rise in homelessness amongst the under 25’s. “Our residents were very happy to donate items from money raised at our summer fête last year and The Hazelwell will now continue to support the YMCA as its chosen charity for the duration of 2018.” For more information about The Hazelwell contact Liza on 0151 342 9654, email [email protected] or visit www.thehazelwell.com