Woking care home invites local community to honour D-Day

A Woking care home is opening its doors to the community for a commemorative ceremony.

On Thursday 6^th June, from 10am till 4:30pm, Care UK’s Kingsleigh, on Kingfield Road, is welcoming local people to honour the 80^th anniversary of D-Day with its very own lamp lighting ceremony. 

To commemorate the 80^th anniversary of the Normandy Landings on 6^th June 1944, Care UK is partnering with royal pageant master Bruno Peek, CVO OBE OPR, coordinator of ‘D-Day 80 Lamp Light of Peace’. Along with the three Forces Charities and the Merchant Navy Association, over 100 Care UK homes will take part in this nationwide tribute.

At Kingsleigh, the team has been hard at work organising a special commemorative event which will see residents and guests enjoy a 1940s-themed party, with team members dressed in the decade’s attire. 

Ex veterans from the local community will be in attendance, alongside a former Mayor of Woking, who will be reading extracts from a letter by a soldier who served at Normandy. Guests will also be treated to live music from local entertainer who will be singing popular wartime songs. 

The lamp, which represents the peace that followed the end of World War Two, will be lit at 9:15pm by a member of the Royal British Legion. 

Kelly Kelleher, Home Manager at Kingsleigh, said: “Here at Kingsleigh, we’re thrilled to be marking the 80^th anniversary of D-Day with the help of the community – and especially delighted to be welcoming the Royal British Legion and local veterans for the occasion.

“Reminiscence activities are a great way for older people, and those living with dementia, to connect with those around them and help maintain a sense of identity. In the run up to the day, residents have been sharing their own stories and memories and it’s been fantastic to hear everyone’s experiences as we learn from one another.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming new and old faces to Kingsleigh for what we anticipate will be a heartfelt day for everyone involved!”  

To find out more about how Care UK is supporting the initiative, please visit: careuk.com/dday-80th-anniversary

Kingsleigh has been designed to deliver the very best standards of care and to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives. The home provides residential, respite and specialist dementia care, surrounded by beautiful gardens in a quiet residential area of Surrey.