Handyman Derek’s birdboxes raises money for Tameside Rotary appeal

THE relationship between cats and birds is usually a-viary sensitive issue!

However, both elements are working together to support Tameside Rotary’s fundraising appeal to provide robotic cat companions to care home residents living with dementia.

Tameside Rotarian and former councillor Derek Baines has donated eight personally handcrafted bird nesting boxes to the appeal.

Derek Baines
Over the years, Derek has raised more than £4,000 for local charitable causes by making and donating garden items such as wishing wells, lighthouses, wheelbarrows, bird tables and nesting boxes.

Derek, a retired engineer and businessman who lives in Gee Cross, Hyde, said “We have heard so much recently about how the pandemic has added to feelings of isolation for care home residents living with dementia.

“These lifelike robotic cat companions make a real difference by helping alleviate anxiety and loneliness, particularly for those residents who are cat lovers”.

Tameside Rotary treasurer Andy Williams said: “In the last three months, we have raised funds to supply eight Tameside care homes with a robotic cat. The feedback on their effectiveness has been amazing.

“With Derek’s nesting boxes, we hope to raise additional funds to buy more robotic cats because we have several care homes on a waiting list.”

Details of the Robotic Cat Companions Appeal for Tameside care homes and information on how to obtain one of Derek’s bird nesting boxes before they fly off the shelf, can be found on www.tamesiderotaryclub.com

For more details see www.TamesideRotaryClub.com or their Facebook Page Tameside Rotary Club.

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