Inspired by the 11th day of the 11th month, residents and employees at Marston Court in Oxford, have taken on 11 challenges to raise funds to support the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal, which helps serving and ex-serving personnel and their families.

Each challenge is focused on sharing and learning a new skill, with residents and employees teaching each other in a united team effort.  With less than 11 days to go until Remembrance Day, those at the home are well on their way to achieving all 11 challenges, with nearly half of them completed so far:

1 – Learning to drive scooters

2 - Upcycling a coffee table using decoupage techniques

3 - Learning a seated dance routine to the 'Macarena' and 'Somewhere over a rainbow'

4 - Learning to say “Hello” in 11 different languages

5 - Learning to play ‘O Come all ye faithfull’ on handbells

By Remembrance Day, residents and employees aim to have learned and completed: 

6 - Making samosas

7 - Crochet poppies

8 - Embroidering poppies 

9 - Learning 11 new words and their meanings 

10 - Learning a new song

And for the eleventh and final challenge, Home Manager Sharon Fenn is learning to play a tune on the saxophone, thanks to musical tutoring from one of the residents.

Resident Jean Arnatt, aged 94, said of the 11/11 challenge: “It is so important to remember the soldiers who fought in the war, and I will do anything I can do to help.”

Mrs Arnatt was a schoolgirl during World War II, but that didn’t stop her from joining the Wrens in 1944, aged just 17 ½.  During the war, she also worked as a messenger for the Oxford Civil Defence, and was a leading member of the Pea-Nut Club, which raised money to support airmen critically burned in action.

The challenges will culminate on Remembrance Day with a coffee morning which will include a special performance of handbell ringing to showcase the newly learned skill.

To support the care home’s 11/11 fundraising efforts, donate at Just Giving: Marston Court Oxford is fundraising for The Royal British Legion (justgiving.com)

Marston Court is rated 9.9 out of 10 on the leading care home reviews website, www.carehome.co.uk.

Sharon Fenn, Home Manager, said: “A big thanks to all our residents’ friends and families, for their glowing reviews of Marston Court care home. This high rating recognises the fantastic team at Marston Court and all of their hard work in ensuring the best care for our residents.”