Small Steps, Big Hearts: How Brackley Care Home Residents Smashed the Katharine House Hospice Accumulator Challenge

At Brackley Care Home, community isn’t just about the people under our roof—it’s about the incredible organizations that support us all. Katharine House Hospice (KHH) is a cause incredibly dear to our hearts. Over the years, we’ve shared deep connections with many treasured friends who have transitioned from the care of KHH to live with us here at Brackley Care Home.

​So, when the Katharine House Hospice Accumulator Challenge crossed our desks, our residents didn’t just sign up—they spurred into action with a competitive spirit and a lot of heart.

​Turning Pennies into Pounds

​The challenge began with a small "seed" fund of £50 given to us by KHH, and our residents immediately took the reins as savvy entrepreneurs. Their first venture? A classic Christmas Hamper.

​Residents enjoyed a festive shopping trip to hand-pick luxury items for the raffle. However, the creativity didn't stop at retail. It was resident Daphne’s inspired idea to bring the outdoors in; she led the charge in crafting beautiful decorated pine-cones. These served a dual purpose: adorning our home’s own Christmas tree and being sold as bespoke decorations to visitors.

​Between the raffle tickets and the pine-cone sales, the residents celebrated a fantastic initial win of approximately £195.

​A "Healthy Return" on Love

​Following the holiday success, the group looked toward February. They reinvested a portion of their earnings to curate a decadent Valentine’s Hamper. The buzz around the home was electric, and the effort paid off handsomely.

​The Valentine’s draw raised £155, leading resident Jean to joke that it was a "very healthy return on their investment!". The Hamper was won by the daughter of one of our residents.

Turning Trinkets into Treasure: The New Year Table Top Sale

​After two years of successfully hosting their annual September sale for Katharine House Hospice (KHH), our residents decided that waiting until autumn was simply too long. With the holiday season behind us and the "New Year, New Me" energy in the air, the community saw a golden opportunity to turn post-Christmas clutter into vital funding.

​​The idea was born from a simple realization: many of us start 2026 with a few extra "unwanted" gifts or a sudden urge to declutter our homes. Rather than letting those items gather dust, our residents transformed them into a force for good. This extra sale was launched specifically to bolster our efforts in the Accumulator Challenge, a high-energy fundraising initiative where every penny count and our residents spent hours meticulously organizing stalls, ensuring every "pre-loved" item was displayed to catch the eye and upselling raffle tickets to maximise profit !! They were so proud to raise £345.

​The Grand Finale: The Sponsored Walk

​The most inspiring chapter of their fundraising journey, however, was the Sponsored Walk. Residents challenged themselves to walk the full length of the care home—from one end to the other and back again.

​While the distance might seem simple to some, for our residents, it was a marathon of determination. Their physical effort resonated deeply with friends and family, resulting in an incredible total of £452.50 in sponsorships.

​Stephanie Eley, Home Manager said: "We are so very proud of every step they took. To see the residents so motivated to give back to Katharine House Hospice has been truly moving."

​The Total Impact

​Through a mix of crafting, clever investing, and physical perseverance, the residents of Brackley Care Home have proven that you are never too old to make a massive difference. We are thrilled to donate these funds totally £1147.50 to Katharine House Hospice to help them continue their vital work in our community.