ROMANTIC SEASIDE TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE FOR DOTING COUPLE
Liz and Philip return to beloved Blackpool, thanks to care staff
A loved-up couple returned to their favourite holiday spot to celebrate their 55th wedding anniversary.
Philip Farren and his wife Liz, from Johnstone, visited Blackpool together every year until Philip took unwell there in 2008.
But now, thanks to the care home that looks after him, they headed back to the seaside resort for a lovely trip down memory lane.
Not only did the doting pair enjoy their two-night trip to the popular seaside resort, they also stopped in Gretna Green to celebrate their 55th wedding anniversary where they were entertained by a piper and held a small ceremony to mark the occasion.
Philip, 80, lives in the Craigielea Care Home, in Renfrew, which has an innovative Wish Tree, where residents and their families can suggest trips or activities to help bring back happy memories from throughout their lives.
Craigielea, which is part of the Holmes Care Group, specialises in caring for people with dementia or who have acquired brain injuries.
Jennifer Mack, one of the activities co- ordinators at the home, praised the staff who organised the holiday down south.
She said: “Shaz Farren, Nicola Douglas, Gemma Downie and Melanie MacRae all took it upon themselves to organise the trip, and really rose to the challenge.
“They went to the Scotland v England game at Hampden with collection buckets and raised money from the fans going in to pay for the trip.
“Philip took unwell in Blackpool back in 2008. He and his wife Liz had gone there every year before that, so to get them back there was great. “They were so happy to be there. “They also stopped off in Gretna Green where they had a wee ceremony to mark their 55th wedding anniversary.
“They had a piper too, so it was very romantic.”
“The point of the Wish Tree is that it gives residents and their families a chance to suggest things they would like to do.
“We try to arrange trips and outings for residents that will rekindle memories from their past.
“It might be something like a trip to the seaside or going to a football match.
“We will try our best to make their wishes a reality and, hopefully, help them keep precious memories alive.”
Liz and Philip were joined on the trip by 95-year-old Margaret Whitelaw, also from Johnstone, who had a great time soaking up the sights and sound of the popular town.