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experienced pilot Elizabeth Russell. Leaving from the site of an old WW2 American airbase in rural Suffolk, Olywn was able to take in the views of the county beneath her. Making the day even more memorable, the flight was filmed by the BBC digital team who sent along a crew and put a Go Pro in the cockpit to record Olwyn’s reactions. The footage was shown on the BBC website and even mentioned on the BBC’s One Show.


CARE UK GRANTS 99-YEAR-OLD’S


WISH TO FLY HIGH The team at Davers Court care home in Suffolk really did reach for the skies to make the wish of one resident come true recently.


Not content with organising a sail in a two-person dinghy or a spin in a rickshaw for other residents, the team took things up a notch when they fulfilled the wish of 99-year-old Olwyn Hopkins, who lives at the Care UK home in Bury St Edmunds – arranging for her to take to the skies.


Olwyn’s first experience of flying in a small aircraſt was 81 years ago, when she was just 19 years old and flew from Portsmouth to the Isle of Wight. She didn’t enjoy the experience and hasn’t been on a similar small plane since, although she has enjoyed many flights on big passenger planes. However, as she approaches her 100th birthday, Olwyn decided that the time had come to put her first experience of flying behind her and to take a trip in a small aircraſt.


With the help of Rattlesden Gliding Club, Olwyn travelled to the airfield for her chance to take to the skies once more with


Like most Care UK homes, Davers Court actively encourages residents to submit wishes of memorable things that they would like to do.


Regional Director, Phillip Steyn, said: “Olwyn’s desire to take to the skies is just one of a range of wishes that we have lined up to fulfil across our homes. People outside the home are oſten surprised at the adventurous things residents want to get up to, but why not? Living in a care home is just another chapter in someone’s life.”


As she landed, Olwyn was all smiles, declaring that she had loved it and wanted to repeat the flight on her 100th birthday next year.


Olwyn added: “I wanted to show people that you can do anything you want to, no matter how old you are – age has no boundaries!


“It was a wonderful day and I was delighted to be able to get back into an aircraſt. I didn’t think I’d get the chance again aſter all these years, so it was a fantastic surprise. It was a really memorable day – I can’t thank Liz the pilot, Rattlesden Gliding Club and the team at Davers Court enough for organising this experience for me.”


www.careuk.com


They even provided an unexpected pre-birthday treat for 92-year-old resident Maria Deakin.


Roy Young, Managing Director of Sheffield-based Silver Healthcare, said: “The visit counts as one of the most moving experiences I’ve ever had in all my decades of operating care homes.


SHETLAND PONIES BRING TEARS


OF JOY TO CARE HOME A Sheffield care provider has been using Shetland ponies to bring comfort and joy to its dementia sufferers.


The specially-trained animals visited all three homes operated by Fulwood-based Silver Healthcare recently.


Staff and relatives were hugely encouraged by the therapeutic and calming effect on residents brought about by the animals.


The three ponies - named Leo, Harry and Larry - spent time with scores of dementia sufferers and even travelled in the liſt to visit residents in their bedrooms and lounges.


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“Several residents even burst into tears - they were visibly moved by the experience and the calmness of the animals and there couldn’t have been a better way to celebrate the forthcoming birthday of 92-year-old Maria Deakin.


“The team of pony handlers from “Smile at Lightwood” consisting of Kay Green, Lynn Jeffery and Kathy Elliss Whitham were absolute professionals and a joy to work with.


“The visit truly brought a smile to everyone’s face.”


The therapy ponies were supplied by Sheffield-based Smile at Lightwood.


They visited Silver Healthcare’s Fulwood Lodge, Rosebank and Leahyrst homes. www.silver-healthcare.co.uk


www.tomorrowscare.co.uk


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