A MUCH-loved resident celebrated her 91st birthday by finding a cool way to\u00a0cone-gratulate\u00a0a\u00a0care home\u2019s \u2018Coronavirus warriors\u2019.<\/p>\n
Gladys Cross\u00a0is a long-term and popular\u00a0member of Pendine Park’s Highfield nursing home in Wrexham.<\/p>\n
Movingly described as “part of the family” at Highfield by staff, the great-grandmother wanted to repay the home’s team for all their hard work – including their tireless efforts during the pandemic.<\/p>\n
Staff members were delighted to hear the ever-magical sound of an ice cream van’s chimes playing as it pulled in outside the home.<\/p>\n
Every Highfield employee on duty at the time was treated to a free ice cream, thanks to the generous gesture by Gladys.<\/p>\n
Asked why she wanted to\u00a0treat the team, the former school cook said: “I want to thank everyone. They are very good.<\/p>\n
“I like being here.\u00a0I like the staff.”<\/p>\n
Originally from Bradley, Gladys\u00a0has spent been a resident at Highfield for several years.<\/p>\n
She has regularly enjoyed visits\u00a0at the home from\u00a0family members, including son Ian and daughter Diane.<\/p>\n
Last year Highfield helped to mark\u00a0Gladys\u2019 landmark\u00a090th birthday during lockdown.<\/p>\n
Pendine Park, which operates eight care homes in Wrexham and Caernarfon, regularly holds special events and activities\u00a0for residents to enjoy.<\/p>\n
During her time at Highfield, Gladys has frequently participated in activities such as art sessions.<\/p>\n
She has built a close bond with enrichment and activities co-ordinator Christine Lewis.<\/p>\n
“Gladys is a very popular resident at Highfield,” said Christine.<\/p>\n
“This was a very nice gesture by her. It helps make the staff feel appreciated and it has given them a boost.<\/p>\n
“The pandemic has been a long haul. Whenever we receive gifts from anyone it is greatly appreciated and shows people are thinking about the team here.<\/p>\n
“We are very grateful to Gladys for treating everybody to an ice cream.”<\/p>\n
Affectionately referred to as ‘Coronavirus warriors’, staff at Pendine Park’s homes have regularly received praise from management, residents and their relatives for their relentless work throughout the pandemic.<\/p>\n
They were able to take a short break from their regular duties to receive an ice cream, amid a buoyant atmosphere outside the home.<\/p>\n
Maria Medina, a carer at Highfield, expressed her gratitude to Gladys as she relished tucking into\u00a0a vanilla ice cream.<\/p>\n
“I think this is a very good idea. We we would like to thank Gladys for what she has done,” she said.<\/p>\n
“Gladys is a lovely lady. She is somebody that we enjoy looking after.”<\/p>\n
Another staff member savouring the sweet taste of an ice cream was care support worker Sarah Lawson.<\/p>\n
“It certainly makes a nice change to get an ice cream during work,” said Sarah.<\/p>\n
“I am very appreciative. This was a very kind thing to do.<\/p>\n
“Gladys is really lovely. She is a part of the family here and we are all fond of her.”<\/p>\n
The ice creams were brought to Highfield by Mr Tee’s.<\/p>\n
Madeeha Imran, secretary with the family-run ice cream firm, helped serve staff<\/p>\n
She said: “We are pleased to have been invited to provide ice creams at Highfield.<\/p>\n
“We have great appreciation for all the work for the staff from the home have been doing. They have been through a lot.<\/p>\n
“It is nice for us to be involved in positive things that are happening in the Wrexham community.”<\/p>\n
Highfield manager Tracey Smith said: \u201cThis was a delightful and very kind gesture from Gladys who is a lovely lady for whom we are privileged to provide care.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe ice creams were greatly appreciated by the team especially as the weather was so warm. It cooled everybody down nicely.\u201d<\/p>\n