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Rose at Paradise Wildlife Park

Local Councillor Francis Button made a resident’s dream come true when she stepped up to help staff at The Fairway grant 82 year old Rose O’Conner’s greatest wish. Rose, originally from St Albans, was asked by care home staff to name the one thing she wished for most as part of our Silver Wishes campaign. As a keen animal lover, who fondly remembers keeping several pets as a child including her favourite white guinea pig Minnie, Rose’s answer was that she would like to spend a day with the animals at the zoo. In order to make the dream come true, staff at the care home reached out to Francis Button, the local Cllr for Oxhey Park, who arranged for Rose to visit Paradise Wildlife Park in Broxbourne. Upon arriving at the park, Rose was greeted by the Paradise Wildlife Park team and treated to coffee and biscuits, before being given her very own VIP tour by Keeper Scott. Rose was introduced to the animals, including a tenrec, lizard and tortoise, before sitting down to lunch near the tiger enclosure. As an extra surprise at the end of the day, Rose went on a special tour around the Dinosaur Park. Maya Beekarry, Home Manager said: “We would like to say a massive thank you to Cllr Francis Button for helping us to make Rose’s dream come true. “Rose had a fantastic day at Paradise Wildlife Park. Keeper Scott and the staff were wonderful and brought a big smile to Rose’s face – particularly when she met the park’s own guinea pig. This allowed Rose to reminisce about her own pets and she even said that it made her feel young again. “Trips like this are the hallmark of good care and we are looking forward to helping more residents create good memories and realise their dreams.” Rose O’Conner said: “I had such a lovely day at the Wildlife Park. I enjoyed seeing all the birds and animals and it was a really special treat to meet some of the animals close up. It brought back so many lovely memories from my childhood and I especially loved the long-haired guinea pig in the farm section. Everybody has been so kind to me and made me feel very special”.