Birthday gifts pour in for care home resident after staff's social media appeal

A message was posted on Facebook by staff at Burton Closes Hall Care Home, on Haddon Road, Bakewell, ahead of resident Elspeth Hodgson’s 67th birthday.

The response was amazing, with 87 cards arriving from around Derbyshire and further afield, from Scotland, Wales, the Channel Islands and North East of England.

Elspeth received a box of brownies from Oh Crumbs bakery, in Retford and a gift basket was made up by children from Blue Mountain Homes, an East Midlands residential care provider to young people.

Cards arrived from across Bakewell, including from the team at Newholme Hospital, the youngsters from Child 1st Day Nursery, pupils from Lady Manners School and staff at Medway Community Centre.

Children at Great Longstone Pre Schoo also sent a

card, as did the team at Banks Skip Hire, on Station Lane, Old Whittington, Chesterfield.

Ex-staff members from Burton Closes Hall, including Micky Patridge, who worked at the home in the 90s, brought flowers and cards. And current staff who were not working on Elspeth’s birthday visited the home to wish her well and hand over cards and presents.

Elspeth said: “It’s so kind of everyone to think of me.”

Lauri Regan, home manager, said: “We did a birthday card appeal for Elspeth as her family are rarely able to visit the home. The response was amazing, with cards arriving from all over, including local companies and community members.