50th birthday surprise from Rocking Rev
A care home resident who has a degenerative brain condition was All Shook Up when an Elvis impersonator who’s also a hospital chaplain popped in to sing Happy Birthday.
Rocking reverend Wynne Roberts, known as the Welsh Elvis, was the star attraction at Ivan Chambers’ 50th birthday party at the Bryn Seiont Newydd care home in Caernarfon where he’s lived for the past two years.
A number of the staff even came in on their day off to join in the festivities and entered into the spirit of the occasion by donning fancy dress, with Ivan himself dressing up as Elvis.
According to manager Sandra Evans, Ivan, a former taxi driver who hails from Bangor, is a very popular resident and they wanted to help him celebrate his landmark birthday in style.
When he’s not performing as the rock ‘n’ roll legend Wynne’s day job is as chaplain manager for the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board covering all its facilities across North Wales from his base at Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor.
Sandra Evans said: “Huntington’s disease is a horrible condition which kills nerve cells in the brain. It’s like being locked in and is a progressive illness. Sadly, there is currently no cure.
“Everyone wanted to help Ivan celebrate his birthday - 50 is an incredibly young age to have to live in a care home but Ivan takes it all in his stride and gets on with life the best he can.
“We know Wynne Roberts well and we are delighted he agreed to come in and perform his Elvis tribute act for Ivan, other residents and staff. Ivan is a big fan of Elvis music and it has been a lovely afternoon. Many staff members came in on their day off and in fancy dress to make it a real party to remember for Ivan.”