Care South renews partnership with the Cherries

Cherries winger Marc Pugh visited residents at Care South’s Fairlawn care home in Ferndown this week, where he also met with the charity’s chief executive Simon Bird to officially announce the continued partnership, which is now in its fifth year.

The partnership with the club encourages staff and residents of Care South’s care homes and Home Care service clients to participate in activities where they can meet players, enjoy coffee mornings and become involved in walking football and stadium visits.

Head of community Steve Cuss was also at the event and said: “Care South residents always give Marc a fantastic welcome. He is a huge supporter of this partnership, and that’s what makes him such a great ambassador.

"He and the Community Sports Trust team are looking forward to visiting as many residents as their schedule allows, and showing his football skills to the residents and seeing a few of theirs.”

Simon Bird, chief executive at Care South, said: “The partnership with AFC Bournemouth is one that we really cherish. Over the past 12 months Steve and his team have undertaken over 90 visits to all of our Dorset homes. We’re delighted to be renewing the partnership again.

"It’s great to see that despite the demands of a very strong start in the Premier League this season, Marc still has time to be the ambassador for the partnership and visit our homes – he’s very popular with all our residents.

“We are always so impressed with the way that Marc, Steve and the trainee coaches help with activities, interact and reminisce with our residents when they visit our homes.”

Care South is a registered charity and a leading residential and home care service provider in the South of England.

The not-for-profit organisation serves Dorset, north Devon, West Sussex and parts of Somerset, offering care services for young people and older people who may require temporary or permanent care services.