SOMER Valley House is a new 66-bed care home in Midsomer Norton, scheduled to open in October 2024. Operated by Oyster Care Homes, Somer Valley House is looking forward to offering high-quality, person-centred care in a homely setting”. Once up and running, Somer Valley House is expected to create over 100 jobs for the local economy.

Prior to its opening, General Manager, Lauren Dinham, and Front of House Manager, Emma Curtain, are embarking on a 100-mile walking challenge throughout August to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support.

A spokesperson for Oyster Care Homes said: “This initiative reflects Lauren and Emma’s commitment to not only providing exceptional care at Somer Valley House but also supporting vital causes within the wider community.”

Lauren and Emma are motivated by personal experiences and a shared desire to give back. Lauren, whose grandad battled pancreatic cancer, found invaluable support from Macmillan during a challenging time for her family.

She said: "I really wanted to do something that would challenge me physically and get me moving, especially being mostly office-based at the moment waiting for Somer Valley House to open, what better way to do it than raise money for Macmillan?"

Emma shares a similar passion for the cause, driven by her dedication to helping others and her experience in the care industry.

Lauren and Emma will fit their walking challenge into their daily routines, often involving their loved ones to make the experience more enjoyable and motivational.

Lauren said: "Hopefully it will motivate me to do more than get home and put my feet up on the sofa after a long day at work!"

Both Lauren and Emma have seen first-hand the positive impact of Macmillan's services. "Macmillan has been a great source of information and support not only within our family but at work as well," Lauren noted. With extensive backgrounds in elderly care, they have both cared for many residents diagnosed with cancer, benefiting from Macmillan's guidance and advice.

The team at Oyster Care Homes is fully behind this initiative. The senior leadership team will be joining Lauren and Emma on some of their walks, and efforts are being made to promote their fundraiser across various platforms.

Lauren and Emma aim to raise as much as possible for Macmillan Cancer Support. Their efforts will contribute to ensuring that Macmillan can continue to offer essential services to individuals and families affected by cancer.

"Macmillan are 98% funded through voluntary donations so anything that we can raise will help Macmillan in continuing to provide the support to those living with cancer," Lauren explained.

The initial fundraiser target for their 100-mile walk was £150, which the pair have exceeded already. At the time of writing, Lauren and Emma have raised £192 for Macmillan, but are keen to keep going with their efforts as their challenge continues.

Those wishing to support Lauren and Emma's 100-mile challenge for Macmillan Cancer Support can donate via their fundraising link: https://bit.ly/100MilesforMacmillan.

For more information on Somer Valley House, visit: https://oystercarehomes.co.uk/care-homes/somer-valley-house/