Progress Report

Having publicly launched our appeal in June of last year, coinciding with the start of phase one of the building work, we are now over 14 months into the campaign, and are very pleased with the progress on all fronts.

On the fundraising, we have raised just over £450,000 towards our target of £515,000, raised through a combination of trusts, a number of local events and individual donors. We are grateful to all who have supported us to date.

Towards the remaining amount, we are running a number of events throughout the remainder of this year. Our main event is called ‘Morning, Noon & Night at Woburn Abbey’ in November and includes three exciting events in one day - a business breakfast with guest speaker and polar explorer, Rupert Longsdon, a lunch hosted by Sir Trevor McDonald where he will interview Anne Widdecombe, and an evening gala dinner with the wonderful British tenor, Alfie Boe performing.

On the building side, phase one and two have been completed and the contractors, Farrans, are now working on phase three of the four phases. The first phase was one wing of the building with ten en-suite rooms, and the residents were able to move into their new rooms just before Christmas. The residents who have moved into their new rooms are delighted with their new home, and are busy making them their own, with new wall colours, curtains and fittings. The additional space is so appreciated and the en-suite shower room facilities afford a level of privacy so important for giving people their independence and dignity. Phase two involved a further eight bedrooms including a respite room, and the residents moved into their new rooms in May and are equally delighted.

We are determined to raise the remaining funds to meet the appeal target, and we are aiming for more so as to be able to invest in some assistive electronic technology, to allow residents to be able to open their doors, windows and curtains with the push of a button – again enhancing their opportunity for a more independent life.