Offering to help (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Offering to help

Sandra Ehrlich and Christine McMeechan with Mabel Wirdham from Selina House Nursing home Ref: 99089-15RESIDENTS of a Swindon nursing home enjoyed a magical mystery tour when youngsters from St Joseph's School decided to treat them.

Three members of St Joseph's Youth St Vincent De Paul Society raised funds and spirits by taking elderly residents on a picnic and day trip to the heart of the Cotswolds.

Youth group member Sandra Ehrlich, 15, explained that this was a chance to give the residents a fun change of scene.

She said: "We go to Selena House every Wednesday after school to spend some of our time with the residents.

"They mentioned that they had no real chance to get out, and so we decided to do something about it."

But nice thoughts are nothing without the cash to match, so the group raised nearly £500 to cover the price of the ticket to Bourton on the Water.

Sandra said: "The three of us did a sponsored walk to meet the cost of hiring the buses.

"We chose Bourton on the Water because the village has good disabled access, and is a nice place for them to walk."

The St Joseph's pupils met residents at Selena House in Oxford Road, before travelling to the Gloucestershire village for a full day's entertainment.

Father Kevin Hennessey, who went with the party, explained how resourceful the group had been.

He said: "I've really not been involved, it's the young people who have done all the work.

He added: "It's really impressive.

"It is obvious that they have become really fond of the residents they have been caring for."

The other youth group visitors who joined in the fund raising were Christine McMeechan and Katie Jesson, both aged 15.