Funeral of Falls Prevention Group member raises £500

The funeral of a late member of the Falls Prevention Group in Sutton-on-Trent has raised £500 for her group.

Grace Rich, a former member of the falls awareness team, passed away in January this year and funds raised at her funeral were invested back into the group.

Karen Parry, daughter of Mrs Rich, ensured the Falls Prevention Group received the funds raised to go towards reduced-mobility sports equipment to maintain the fitness of members in their older age.

The purpose of the Falls Prevention Group established in Sutton-on-Trent, is to prevent and reduce falls of elderly people as well as increasing the fitness and well-being of its members.

Mrs Parry – whose late mother worked as a Newark retailer for 33 years – says the local group founded in 2003 became the "flagship" for all Falls Prevention groups in the UK, setting high standards in areas of safety and physical and mental well-being of elderly individuals.

She said: "My mother unexpectedly passed away at the end of January this year, she had been a member of the Falls Prevention Group for many years and the group really gives the members a sense of belonging.

"It is not only an exercise class, but a social interaction group where friends are made and loneliness forgotten for a few hours each Thursday."

Mrs Parry explained that she and her family wanted to "give something back" to the group after her mother's death, so decided with her family to ask for donations at the funeral - raising £500.

She added: "We are extremely proud to say we raised £500 and after asking the group members what they would like, their overwhelming response was that they would like to learn and take part in the sport of boccia, a paraolympic sport.

"The group is now the proud owners of 2 full sets of boccia balls and a 'Grace Rich Boccia Memorial Trophy' which will be presented on a monthly basis and awarded to the individual member of the group for improved achievement."

Members of the group – some of whom are in the 90s – were said to be contagious with excitement and eager to participate in the sport as they were also presented with several soft exercise and pilate balls to get involved with.

A founding member of the group, Judy Storer, said the sports equipment provided with the funeral money was very welcome because of an increase in interest in the group that now has more than 30 members, adding "little Grace Rich" was always a charming and beautifully dressed lady.

"The group is so special because of the volunteers that keep it going, especially those of don't get paid a penny. Hilda Whiles, our volunteer in charge of lunches runs everything so smoothly and Vanessa, our head of movement an exercises, really gets everyone going and works the members hard to built their fitness and well-being," said Mrs Storer.

She added: "I was absolutely amazed with the money raised at Grace's funeral. We are so grateful and surprised with the support that it much needed to provide our members with the best activities and day events. Only death or dire illness will keep them away."

The Falls Prevention Group meet every Thursday morning at Sutton Sports Club.

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