A resident at a Nottinghamshire based care home was given a “pleasant surprise” when she was given the chance to relive her younger days and go for a ride in a sidecar.
Betty Collins, 96, who lives at MHA The Herons in Toton would often find herself in the sidecar of husband’s motorbike during her younger days and even travelled abroad to France and Germany.
The surprise was part of the Seize the Day initiative run by older person’s charity Methodist Homes (MHA) which runs the home. The initiative encourages residents to re-experience activities or events from the past or to do something they would like to do for the first time.
Betty was born and bred in Chesterfield before moving to Wollaton and says she even accompanied her husband to the Isle of Wight TT race on his motorbike.
With the help of Betty’s daughter Sue, activity coordinator Helen Smith managed to organise a bike with a sidecar, courtesy of the Derbyshire Bikers Group and to keep it a surprise.
Betty said: “It was a lovely and pleasant surprise and I was very happy with what was organised for me.
“It was amazing. The bike rider Paul Hudson was very nice and it brought back so many happy memories.
“It reminded me of the times when I used to be with my husband, it was great to relive those memories and it felt like a real trip down memory lane.
“My daughter told me on the day, I had no idea and with the weather being quite nice it turned into a very pleasant day.
Helen Smith, activity coordinator said: “We discussed the idea of Seize the Day with residents and their family members and once Sue had agreed I started looking for motorbikes with sidecars.
“The look of Bettys face was worth it and I do think it’s a great initiative which we can use for other residents.
“The bike rider Paul was very pleasant, he came to show me the bike prior just to make sure it was safe and even bought Betty some flowers on the day.”