10 June 2016

Hallmark grants resident’s ultimate wish to go for a trip on the River Thames

A Hallmark care home resident has gone on a luxury River Thames boat trip after winning our wish-granting competition.

Doris Greathead, 88, was chauffeur driven by Rolls Royce to London with her daughter and son-in-law, where they boarded the boat and enjoyed a sightseeing cruise of London’s most iconic tourist attractions.

When Doris, a resident at Alexandra Grange, our care home in Wokingham, was asked to write down a wish, she revealed her desire to go on a boat trip down the River Thames.

She had only ever visited London once before and thought it would be a once in a lifetime experience to go.

Hallmark Care Homes granted Doris’s wish and organised the grand experience after declaring her winner of our Christmas wish competition.

Doris, who has been a resident at Alexandra Grange for the last 2 years said: “I had a lovely time in London and I really enjoyed the cruise down the river. It was great to be with my daughter and son-in-law and it was a lovely gesture.

“I didn’t expect to be collected by a chauffeur driven Rolls Royce either, that was a pleasant surprise and made me feel very special.”

Doris was accompanied on her trip by her daughter Alison and her son-in-law Graham.

Alison Stewart said: “I would like to say a huge thank you to Alexandra Grange for organising our trip to London. My mother has only ever been once in her life, so she really appreciated seeing the sights in comfort.

“I think it’s a wonderful thought to grant people their wish.”

The granted wish was just one of many, which we have pledged to make true this year for residents in each of our 15 care homes in England and South Wales.

Other fulfilled wishes include: reuniting a resident with his teenage sweetheart whom he hadn’t seen in 20 years, taking a resident to meet and watch pop and dance sensation Peter Andre in concert and taking a resident to the Epsom Derby.

Click here to find your nearest Hallmark care home.