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Care home residents unable to receive visitors have been showered with letters and pictures from children determined to spread cheer during lockdown.
The first batch of letters sent to Ridout House Residential Home were opened last week, while many more have been coming through the post.
“I’ve set up a notice board to pin up all the cards and letters and photographs when we’ve read them, and at the rate we’ve received them this week, I’ll need another two boards!” Norma Parkinson, the Manager of Ridout House Residential Home, told Express.
Pictured: The post shared by Mrs Parkinson on Facebook.
Two weeks ago, after the schools closure was announced, Ms Parkinson took to the 7,000-member-strong ‘Coronavirus Jersey – Acts of kindness’ page to suggest children could write letters and draw pictures for the nine residents at Ridout House, as they cannot receive any visits from their families and friends.
While she expected to receive around a dozen letters, Ms Parkinson was overwhelmed by hundreds of messages from islanders asking her where they and their children should send the letters.
Since then, the letters have kept coming, and along them sweet treats for the residents and staff alike. All were delighted to open the letters last week during their first ‘Opening Day’ and Ms Parkinson said they were all looking forward to opening more this week.
Ms Parkinson captured the moment with a series of pictures, which she then shared on the group, much to the delight of the members. In those, some residents claimed to be behaving, while others said they were not.
Pictured: Some residents are behaving, others are not.
The home manager also explained that residents and staff are torn over what to do with the “gorgeous Easter gifts and chocolates” donated by Claire O’Connell, founder of the local 'Acts of Kindness' page, which have been supplied and delivered by Sue Bentley from The Chocolate Bar.
“All the residents elected to not eat them until Easter… Not sure about the staff holding off eating their chocs, though!” she joked.
“Everyone has been so kind and thoughtful and we’re thankful to each and every person for taking the time to connect with us.
“Aren’t we all so lucky to live in a community that really does care?”
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