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Cambridge senior inspired by Captain Tom to help Cambridge Food Bank

Joan Thomlinson is marking her 97th birthday this month by lapping the track at Seasons Cambridge Retirement Community 97 times
CambridgeToday Staff

Seasons Cambridge Retirement Community resident Joan Thomlinson recently celebrated her 97th birthday and decided to mark the achievement in the most inspiring way — by giving back to the community.

After hearing about Captain Sir Thomas Moore's charity effort in 2020 to complete 100 laps around his London garden during peak COVID in honour of his 100th birthday, Thomlinson decided to seize the day and launch her own charitable initiative, Footsteps for Food. 

"If Captain Tom can do it at 100, I can do it at 97," Thomlinson says, pledging that during the month of May, she will complete 97 laps around the retirement community's outdoor track to raise money for the Cambridge Food Bank, an organization and cause she is passionate about.

"I just think a lot of kids go to school hungry," Thomlinson says. "Everyone needs food! You can't survive without it. I see this as an opportunity to make the biggest impact on the most people. I'm only going to be 97 once and that's the reason I'm doing this today."

Thomlinson is an active member of the Seasons Cambridge Seniorosity Team, a volunteer-driven program that aims to support and give back to the local community through fundraising efforts, charitable donations, and random acts of kindness.

Thomlinson, whose late husband Eric founded the Cambridge Ancient Mariners Canoe Club, says staying active was not a top priority for her until later in life when she started walking for the health benefits. 

Eric started the club in 1988 for the same reason, giving people aged 55 and over an opportunity to socialize and stay active through canoeing.

Joan is carrying on that tradition well into her nineties, always eager to come up with different initiatives and projects to support the Cambridge community.

This year, Seasons Retirement Communities is celebrating the fifth anniversary of its signature Seniorosity program which aims to keep seniors active in the greater community, providing a sense of purpose and fulfillment through volunteering.  

Recently the Seniorosity program raised $800 for the Lisaard House hospice and the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

But Footsteps for Food is something Thomlinson took on herself as a passion project says Seasons' fun manager Erica Boer. "Most people can't believe she's 97."

“As long as you keep moving, you can make a difference,” Thomlinson says. “I feel good and I want to try to live every day to the fullest. Sometimes it's difficult but I just keep going. I live each day as if it's my last!"

To help celebrate the achievement, Seasons Cambridge is planning a small celebration May 31, inviting the mayor and councillors to drop by along with representatives from the food bank.

“We are so inspired by Joan’s dedication to giving back and choosing to support the Cambridge Food Bank,” says Sarah Tooze, development manager at the Cambridge Food Bank. “We encourage the local community to get involved in Joan’s noteworthy cause and help make a difference in fighting food insecurity.”

“Footsteps for Food runs from May 1 to May 31.

To support Thomlinson’s charitable initiative, the local community can drop off a food donation at Seasons Cambridge Retirement Community or donate online HERE.