Residents at Suffolk care home receive message from the sea

Date of article: 18-May-09

An unexpected message from more than 100 miles away across the North Sea has just been received by surprised residents of a Suffolk care home.

The note from the Netherlands turned up after residents of Barking Hall, a nursing home in Needham Market, released 41 labeled red balloons in March in aid of Red Nose Day.

One of the balloons was scooped up from the sea by Dutch fisherman Cornelis Hameeteman who sent it back to the home with a map of exactly where it had been found and also a picture of his fishing vessel.

Patricia Smaldon, Manager of Barking Hall said: “This one balloon has had an amazing journey and we are all really excited that it went so far. Each resident released a balloon in aid of Red Nose Day, which enabled us to raise over £116. Some even released the balloons from their bedroom windows.

“Each balloon was marked with the resident’s room number, and the balloon which came back belonged to Keith Pemberton. All of the staff and residents, especially Keith are very impressed that it managed to travel so far, and we are thankful to Cornelis for sending it back to us.”

Barking Hall is part of the Healthcare Homes Group, the largest independent East Anglian based care provider with 22 homes, the Manorcourt Homecare division and daycare centres under its management.

For more information about Barking Hall Nursing Home, please contact the home on 01842 878225 or visit www.healthcarehomes.co.uk

click here for more details or to contact Healthcare Homes Group Ltd