Frank Pinkney, a Resident at HC-One’s Lothian House had his lifelong dream of visiting the Riverside Stadium come true this May when Colleagues of the Spennymoor care home arranged a surprise visit for him.
Frank Pinkney, who is 99 years old often talks with the care team at the 47-bed care home about his love of football, and in particular of Championship side Middlesbrough Football Club (MFC), who play at the Riverside Stadium - home to MFC since 1995.
Frank has supported Middlesbrough since he was a boy, and his wish was to visit the stadium before he turns 100 in November this year. Thanks to Hollie Rhodes, a manager at the residential and residential dementia care home, Frank’s wish came true on Thursday 12th May.
Hollie phoned the club to let them know their biggest fan was living half an hour away in Lothian House care home and asked if it would be possible to arrange a visit to the stadium. Middlesbrough FC were quick to respond, and invited Frank over the same day.
Decked out in Middlesbrough football strip, thanks to Care Assistant Natalie Unsworth and her connection to the club, Frank and Wellbeing Coordinator Shelley Watson enjoyed a guided tour of the stadium that day. Having been a fan for decades, Frank knew more about the club and its history than the tour guide and was the star of the show all day.
To make the day even more special, Bernie Slaven, who played for Middlesbrough between 1985 – 1993, was also visiting the stadium that day. Frank was delighted to be able to meet him, and to have a chat about the club and all things football.
When Frank’s son found out that his father was going to be visiting the stadium, he was so pleased for him and couldn’t thank staff at the home enough as he knew it was his father’s dream to be able to do this before he turned 100.
Frank arrived back home with the biggest smile on his face and told everyone about the amazing day he had. He remarked:
“I have had such an amazing day; I have been treated like royalty by the staff at Lothian House.”
Jill Carr, Home Manager at Lothian House Care Home, said:
“This story captures our commitment that Resident’s wishes and dreams, which are part of our Quality of Life programme at HC-One, are made to come true. I think stories like this are inspirational and can give hope to the wider older population.
“Yet again, I am so proud of the way in which the team at Lothian House have worked together to enable Mr Pinkney’s lifelong dream to come true.”
Middlesbrough Football Club are also trying to arrange for Frank to go to one of the home games in the upcoming season.