RESIDENTS at a Weymouth care home have been inspired by Captain Tom to take on fundraising challenges and have raised an amazing £1800 for Dorset County Hospital.

Residents at Primrose Lodge have been raising money throughout the coronavirus pandemic after they went into lockdown 13 days before the rest of the country to keep residents and staff safe. Karen Moger, the home's well-being coordinator, heard residents talking about wanting to do their bit to help the NHS so she launched 'FUN'draising Fridays and set up a justgiving page for the home.

After following Captain Tom's story, one resident, Elaine Biles, 89, decided that he should not walk alone and completed 600 laps of the care home with only the help of her Zimmer frame. She said the inspiring words: "If you can help other people in times like this, you have to try."

Another resident, Joy Skinner, carried out sponsored poetry-reading every week, sometimes twice when she could not choose between the poems.

Primrose Lodge arranged a variety of mini events, including a guinea pig race, singing and dancing, relay races, a mini lockdown pantomime written by a local entertainer, a chocolate quiz and a raffle. In doing so, the home raised an amazing £1878.25 for local NHS services.

A cheque was presented to Kitz Clifford, fundraising officer at Dorset County Hospital at an outdoor, socially-distanced event at the home on July 10 with music, cream tea, a buffet and some bubbly. Kitz said: "We are extremely grateful to all the residents, staff and friends at Primrose Lodge.

"Their fundraising has been an inspiration and we know how grateful all the staff at the hospital are for their generosity and support. It was a pleasure to be able to thank everyone at Primrose Lodge in person during their celebrations last Friday."

Karen Moger added: "The staff, management, all the residents and I have thoroughly enjoyed FUNdraising for the incredible team at DCH. It has not only taken our mind off the news and missing family and friends but has given especially the residents the ability to help in such hard times.

"I just can't thank all the family and friends enough for giving such kind and generous amounts to such a worthy cause and also to our incredible 'Friends of Primrose Lodge volunteers'."