Couple hand out gifts to mark 40 years of caring

AN "INSPIRATIONAL" couple have handed out festive hampers to more than 800 staff to mark the 40th anniversary of their business.

- ANDREW FORGRAVE

> Mario and Gill Kreft at Bodlondeb care home, Wrexham, with Bodlondeb manager Ann Chapman, centre, and staff

(MANDY JONES PENDINE PARK)

Mario and Gill Kreft played Santa when touring their nine Pendine Park care homes across north Wales.

Joint Christmas and anniversary parties were held at each home and every member of staff received a hamper to thank them for their "monumental" contributions.

Pendine Park was launched just before Christmas in 1985 when the couple opened Gwern Alyn care home in Hightown, Wrexham, with just 10 staff and 14 residents.

Four decades on, the organisation has grown into a major operator with nine homes in Wrexham county and another in Caernarfon, Gwynedd, providing 440 beds and employing more than 860 staff.

Gill clearly recalls opening the doors at Gwern Alyn. She said: "I can remember all our first residents here - a lady called Eunice Barlow was the first one.

"The last 40 years have been mostly joy and it's been about really getting to know people and their families. But of course it is tinged with some sadness: the pandemic was very difficult for us, the staff and the families.