MEDIEVAL fun gripped residents, staff and visitors to a Fenland care home, as it raised more than �1,000 for the Alzheimer s Society. Saturday s event at Hickathrift House, in Marshland St James, also turned out to be the ideal launch pad for the home s g

MEDIEVAL fun gripped residents, staff and visitors to a Fenland care home, as it raised more than �1,000 for the Alzheimer's Society.

Saturday's event at Hickathrift House, in Marshland St James, also turned out to be the ideal launch pad for the home's general manager's charity walk along the Great Wall of China.

Diane Morton will complete the walk in October and is aiming to raise more than �3,000 for the Alzheimer's Society.

She said: "We have a 24-bed EMI unit which cares for people with dementia, but also the charity funded my dementia care training and I feel it is time to give something back."

Residents, visitors and staff all dressed in medieval costume for a fete in the afternoon and a ball in the evening.

The fete featured some traditional games such as a coconut shy, throwing horseshoes and stocks. A touring group, Seaxe and Sorcery from Essex, also visited and recreated a medieval battle.

The evening's ball continued beyond midnight, with residents and relatives all enjoying the fun.

Mrs Morton said: "Just over �1,000 was raised on Saturday. I want to raise �3,000 in total and I think I have now reached �2,000."

The fundraising continues later this month, with a Caribbean evening on May 20, starting at 7pm. Visitors can drop in, try out some Caribbean food and make donations to Mrs Morton's cause.

Mrs Morton, of Wisbech, has started training for her 10-day trip, visiting the Hudson Leisure Centre three times a week.

"I'm in the gym three times a week," she said. "I have got a program to work to, it's tough, but I'm determined to complete it.