Care home renamed for helper Tony, 96, honoured by Queen
‘TOTAL SHOCK’ FOR VOLUNTEER WHO HAS CARED FOR OTHER FOR OVER 50 YEARS
IT’S been a special year for a hardworking 96-year-old volunteer Tony Bradley, who made the New Year Honours list five months ago for his efforts.
Now, Beaumont Hall care home in Leicester has been renamed Bradley Hall in honour of the MBE recipient, who is a regular helper at the home.
Tony has spent decades volunteering for Loros and the air ambulance charity, among other good causes, while also regularly helping out at Beaumont Hall, where his wife, Renelle, lived.
He became part of the family at the home during lockdown, when he had the choice of going home and not being allowed back or moving in to see Renelle for the duration.
Renelle died in 2020 but he carried on paying regular visits, spending time with the other residents and helping out. He organises bingo games and other fun events and often takes along his dog, Molly, who the residents adore.
The decision by the management to rename the home in his honour was kept a secret from Tony - and most of the staff at the care home in Beaumont Leys Lane, Leicester, too.
The announcement was made at a community fun day in his honour on Saturday, April 30.
Tony was picked up from his home in Newtown Linford by the care home manager, Lee Daly, and brought to Beaumont Hall (as it was) for the special event. Then, at 1pm, Lee revealed the care home’s change of name.
Tony said: “I was totally shocked and wasn’t expecting it at all. I really feel very honoured.
“It was such a lovely day and so many people turned up.
“I had no idea what was going on and when Lee invited me to the front and told me I was the guest of honour I wasn’t sure what he meant, but he then revealed the new sign with my name on it, which was a big surprise.
“I have been caring for people in some form or another for over 50 years. It’s a way of life for me and I get so much satisfaction from it.
“I have really had a great life. This is such a tremendous honour.”
During the day, there was a barbecue and a bouncy castle for the community to enjoy.
Special guests from other local charities and voluntary groups which Tony has supported over the years were also invited.
Tony spends two days a week at the care home, hosting afternoon teas, organising bingo and special film shows.
He also helps out with any odd jobs that need doing and said he had no plans to stop his visits and has lots of ideas and plans for future events and activities, too.
Care home manager Lee said: “We are all so inspired by Tony and wanted to do something to show him just how special he is to us and so we decided to rename the care home in his honour.
“Tony had absolutely no idea about this, and neither did the majority of our staff, and it has been incredibly hard to keep it all a secret.
“But it made a wonderful surprise. We were very pleased to finally be able to reveal all at our special community fun day.”