31 May 2019
A voluntary transport group based in Four Marks - which provides support for local community members who are unable to drive or use public transport services - has received a £500 donation from McCarthy Stone, the housebuilder behind the new Austen Place Retirement Living Plus development in Alton.
Four Marks Care – which has provided help to local residents who need lifts to non-emergency medical appointments for over 40 years – is a member of the Good Neighbours Network and is run by unpaid volunteers. The £500 donation by McCarthy Stone will go towards introducing a new mobile telephone service between clients and Four Marks Care co-ordinators, who arrange the transport with local volunteer drivers. The new service will considerably reduce the time between when the request for transport is made, and when the driver is confirmed with the client.
The donation was presented to Roderick Rymer from Four Marks Care by Malcolm Harvey, Sales Consultant from McCarthy Stone.
Roderick Rymer comments: “Four Marks Care has been providing a volunteer transport service for over 40 years, and we rely on both the generosity of our drivers - who donate their time - and local businesses, who help us with much-needed funds to keep this vital service operational. Many local residents within the Four Marks area are unable to drive or use public transport, so rely on us to help them get to non-emergency medical appointments with their doctor, dentist or hospital.
“The donation from McCarthy Stone is brilliant and will help us to purchase used mobile telephones to both improve and speed up the lines of communication between our clients, co-ordinators and drivers, so we are able to help more members of the local community.”
Ciara Hilley, Divisional Marketing Manager from McCarthy Stone, said: “An important part of what McCarthy Stone does is support initiatives in the towns and communities where we build our properties that create a lasting, positive legacy.
“Four Marks Care shares our philosophy of enriching the lives of older people in Alton by helping them to remain independent for longer. We are thrilled to provide support for this important resource for the local community.”
Comprising a selection of 56 one and two bedroom Retirement Living Plus apartments, exclusively designed for people aged 70 and over, Austen Place on Lower Turk Street in Alton provides everything homeowners could want for a relaxing retirement.
The development features a stunning club lounge – a shared space where homeowners can come together and socialise over a cup of tea – and a superb bistro restaurant serving freshly prepared meals daily. Flexible domestic and personalised care packages are available for homeowners which can be tailored to provide varying levels of support according to individual needs.
A picturesque market town in Hampshire, Alton is known for its connections to Jane Austen – whose former home is open to the public – and other historic buildings. There is a popular Tuesday market, and the town features several vintage boutiques, a sports centre, and a number of supermarkets.
Prices at Austen Place currently start from £259,950 for a one bedroom apartment and from £455,000 for a two bedroom apartment.
For more information on Austen Place please call 0800 310 0383.
