Care Home Resident’s Best Friend Flown by Helicopter for Surprise Reunion

83-year-old Chris Perry from Woodthorpe Lodge care home in Loughborough had a ‘magical’ day when her best friend was flown by helicopter to see her after two years.

Chris and her best friend, Margaret, have been friends for over 50 years, first meeting each other when they were neighbours in Loughborough.

Both living with young children at the time, Chris and Margaret would spend every Friday together. Chris said,

‘We used to have a fabulous time – there were five couples on the street. The men would play squash and us ladies would sit and chat, and then we’d order a takeaway.’

Later in life, Margaret moved to Somerset. While the pair kept in touch, Chris had only been able to see Margaret once over the past two years.

After hearing Chris’ fond memories and how much she wanted to see Margaret again, Chris’ son and staff at Woodthorpe Lodge planned to reunite the best friends.

Chris’ son, Steve, organised to have a helicopter pick Margaret up from her home in Somerset and fly her to his home in Ulverscroft, where the team at Woodthorpe would be waiting with an unsuspecting Chris.

When Margaret emerged from the helicopter, Chris couldn’t believe her eyes! Chris said,

‘I was staggered, I had no idea who was coming but it couldn’t have been a better person. Margaret is so kind and I have known her for such a long time. It was a magical day, my son is so thoughtful.’

Kate Day, the Home Manager at Woodthorpe Lodge who accompanied Chris to the surprise reunion added,

‘It was really special to be part of such a wonderful experience for Chris, and to see the smiles on both ladies’ faces was amazing. We always do everything we can to give our residents days they’ll never forget, and I don’t think Chris will ever forget Margaret’s surprise visit!’

Staff and residents at Woodthorpe Lodge are welcoming their local community into the home each week for their weekly Coffee Morning every Tuesday from 10:30 until 12:00. All are welcome to enjoy a cuppa, cake and chat with the residents in the home.

To find out more about the home, email Woodthorpe.lodge@idealcarehomes.co.uk, call 01509 274 027 or visit www.idealcarehomes.co.uk.

Woodthorpe Lodge is a residential and dementia care home, operated by Ideal Carehomes. With 66 en-suite bedrooms and luxurious social spaces, Woodthorpe Lodge is proud to be rated ‘Good’ by the Care Quality Commission.