A party in Wrexham to raise money for a breast cancer charity was a real hoot.
The pink party at the Pendine Park care organisation in aid of Breast Cancer Awareness welcomed some very special guests – courtesy of the North Wales Owl Sanctuary.
They included Malaqi, a five year old South African barn owl, along with Casper a white faced Scopes owl, which is also five years old, and Gandalf, an Indian collared Scopes owl, which is around four years of age.
Residents at Pendine Park’s Hillbury Care Home wore protective gloves to hold a number of owls and learn all about them.
Afterwards, they tucked into pink cupcakes, enjoyed some special pink lemonade, had a game of pink bingo and tested themselves with a special pink quiz.
The perfect pink party was the brainchild of Hillbury House Care Home activities co-ordinator Anita Moran who lost her own mum to breast cancer.
She said: “Breast cancer awareness and supporting breast cancer charities is really important to me as I lost my own mum, Jean, to the disease five years ago. She was only 68.
“Mum didn’t seek help earlier enough and by the time she went to the doctor it was too late. That’s why I think raising awareness of breast cancer is so important, getting checked earlier can definitely save lives.”
“Our residents really enjoy events such as this and staff have helped by making cakes which we are selling to raise funds. We won’t make a great deal of money from the day but every little helps.
“We decided to invite North Wales Owl Sanctuary along as they have visited before and many of our residents adore seeing the owls and having a chance to hold them. It really is a great form of enrichment and gives them an interest. Many of them will talk about the owls for days after each visit.
“I’m also grateful to the relatives of residents who came in and supported our pink party and helped us raise some money for what is a good cause. Parties such as this means visitors also enjoy seeing their relatives having fun rather than just spending all day sitting in a chair, something we always try and avoid.”
Jean Edwards joined her 89-year-old mum, Eva Beryl Edwards, at the pink party and said: “Mum has settled in really well at Hillbury and absolutely loves seeing the owls. I visit her most days and it’s great to see her holding an owl, something I would never have imagined her doing.
“It’s a good idea to hold a charity event, raising money for breast cancer, alongside something like a visit from the Owl Sanctuary. I know mum enjoys the owls almost as much as she enjoys the pink cupcakes!”
Kath Teburi also dropped in to visit her mum, Gertrude Jones, 97, and to enjoy the pink party with her.
She said: “I visit mum most days. She has been at Hillbury for two-and-a-half years now and really enjoys it. There is so much going on whether its music, parties or visits from people such as the Owl Sanctuary.
“It’s all about enrichment and keeping residents occupied and stimulated. Mum clearly enjoys seeing the owls and having them rest on her hand. And of course it’s been a great way to raise a few pounds for breast cancer, something I think we should all support.”
North Wales Owl Sanctuary volunteer, Pamela Toothill, took in several rescued owls to meet residents of Hillbury Care Home as part of the pink party.
She said: “I always enjoy visiting as its clear the residents take a great deal from it. It’s blatantly obvious from all their smiles that they enjoy the interaction with the birds and it’s so nice to see staff and residents clearly enjoying something together.
“We have around 100 rescued owls at the present time and I bring in three or four of the gentlest ones that I know will happily rest on a residents’ gloved hand.”
Hillbury manager Cindy Clutton was delighted Anita Moran organised the pink party.
Cindy said: “It’s nice to support breast cancer awareness and to raise a little bit of money for the charity. But events such as the pink party are also good ways to enrichment the lives of our residents.
“It’s important to have that interaction between residents, relatives and staff and we want residents to have fun and enjoy new experiences. I always enjoy seeing the smiles on the faces of residents when the owls visit. It’s clearly something they really enjoy.”