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RESIDENT AT JUBILEE COURT WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED

A thank you party was held at Jubilee Court in Stevenage on Wednesday 24th April 2019 for former resident, the late Tom McLachlan and his family. Tom had donated £15,000 to the homes mini-bus fund in November 2018 which enabled the home to purchase its own mini-bus.

Jubilee Court managed by not for profit care provider Quantum Care had held off doing a thank you party when resident Tom became ill and sadly passed away in January 2019 at a grand age of 92 years old. Tom’s family told us that he always liked to donate to worthy causes and so when Jubilee Court started fundraising for a mini-bus in 2018 Tom’s family felt that their fathers donation would be most appropriate as it coincided with Tom’s past career with Grey-Green Coaches in Enfield. A career which spanned over 36 years, Tom was very highly regarded in his role which led him to publish books and articles on the subject of transportation and his involvement in the tendering of London's bus routes. Tom’s account of this was published in his last book titled ‘Grey Green and Contemporaries Book 2- 1961 to the Arriva Year’. The text is complemented by over 120 colour photographs along with timetables, leaflets, maps and other company documents.

 

Tom was chairman of the Omnibus Society in the 1980s and was best known as general manager of Grey-Green, one of London's premier coach operators. Tom was very highly regarded by everyone that knew him; he became very much an 'elder statesman' of the industry as a whole. He was a true gentleman who commanded real respect.

Jubilee Court staff and residents were joined by two of Tom’s children, Janet Rogers and Bob McLachlan, and son-in-law Martin Rogers and were officially thanked by Quantum Care Chief Executive Maria Ball who stated: “This incredible donation has already made such a massive difference to the residents at Jubilee Court. Now they have the freedom and choice to go out whenever they like, it gives both staff and residents much more independence, and I am certain that there will be some trips to the seaside already planned for this year.”

The family of the late Tom McLachlan were asked to cut the ribbon placed around the mini-bus whilst residents and staff cheered, followed by a buffet lunch and live entertainment by Dave Brierly. The party continued on into the afternoon.

Tom’s family gave Jubilee Court a hard copy of one of Tom’s published books as a keepsake.  

Home Manager Julie Oakley-Reid commented: “We are thrilled with the mini-bus appropriately named ‘Queenie’. When we first decided to start fundraising for a mini-bus it seemed an impossible task to raise such a large amount of money. We wouldn’t have done it without Tom’s generous donation. Tom will be fondly remembered by all of us at Jubilee Court.” 

 

If you would like to help fundraise for not for profit care provider Quantum Care’s Jubilee Court or would like further information about events and services please contact the home on 01438 730000 or email jubilee@quantumcare.co.uk.