You may remember a couple of weeks ago we posted about Bodstock’s fundraiser, an effort to raise money to feed care home staff in Cheddar and Draycott.

Bodstock are essentially a group of friends who come together once a year to organise a memorial party in honour of one of their friends, Bod, who sadly passed away in 2010. Over the years since, the parties have been held not only as a chance for friends to come together and remember Bod but also to raise much needed funds for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance who tried to help Bod at the end of his life.

The Bodstock team decided to hold a virtual festival via their Facebook page and to use that opportunity to raise some money to give local care home staff a treat. They set a target of £200 and by the end of the day, they had smashed that target and romped in over £1000.

The virtual festival had a number of DJs play throughout the day, all of whom gave up their time for free on the day, it was a beautifully sunny day and the virtual audience had much praise for every DJ.

The Cider Barn in Draycott volunteered to provide the meal for the care home staff, refused to take any payment and donated all the food themselves. Such a kind-hearted gesture from the team.

So, all the funds from the Bodstock fundraiser, over £1000, have been donated to the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance!

Earlier in the week we caught up with Chris, the Registered Manager and Director of Court House Retirement Home which houses 23 residents. Chris’ team of carers enjoyed the meal of Chilli Con Carne and staff enjoyed a Mexican themed evening in the home.

Chris explained to us that when the Coronavirus hit the UK they were hearing of it spreading quickly through care homes and people were dying. He held a meeting with his senior team where it was decided that to give the residents the best chance of avoiding infection they would go into total lockdown. So over five weeks ago twelve staff moved into the home full-time, what amazing dedication.

Chris himself has a wife and four-year-old daughter at home who he hasn’t seen in over 5 weeks. He FaceTime’s daily and says the highlight of his day is reading his daughter a bedtime story.

The community of Cheddar have shown their appreciation by leaving cakes, pampering products and wine on the doorstep for everyone to enjoy but the team are working long hours and experiencing hard days when they are emotionally and physically exhausted. Chris told us that the meal donated by the Bodstock team provided the staff with a massive boost and an excuse to come together to have fun and relax for an hour.

Court House Retirement Home are currently really active on their Facebook page, give them a like or a follow to see what they have been up to and you might be able to provide some support or respite HERE.

This is an amazing story of how communities are coming together geographically and virtually to help, support and protect each other.

The Mendips Rock, we would like to say a massive thanks to all the Bodstock team and DJs who gave up their free time, The Cider Barn in Draycott and Chris and his team at Court House Retirement Home, plus all the other front-line workers in and around the Mendips.

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