Plymouth shoppers deliver Christmas joy to care home residents

Kind-hearted shoppers have delivered some early Christmas joy to residents at a Plymouth dementia care home. Butterfly Lodge has received dozens of gifts donated by Dunelm customers - with more to come.

Butterfly Lodge staff were invited to submit gift requests to their local store for inclusion in the retailer’s annual "Delivering Joy" campaign. Shoppers were invited to pick a tag with a gift request written on it - before returning to drop off the present, whether from Dunelm, another store or even handmade.

The Camelot Care-owned home in St Budeaux has so far received 30 gifts, with another 70 to follow ahead of Christmas Day. Last year Dunelm's campaign saw 60,000 gifts donated across the UK.

Home deputy manager Sarah McCaffrey, said: “We’ve already had 30 gifts delivered by Dunelm, and we understand there are around 70 more to come, which is just lovely. It’s such a simple scheme, but the results are fantastic, and we’re so glad are residents are included as beneficiaries.

"From the autumn onwards, visitors to the store collect a tag with a gift request written on it. Then they return the tag attached to an appropriate gift which can come from any retailer, or even be home-made, and Dunelm staff ensure the gift is delivered before Christmas.

“The tags include information about the recipient, such as their age, gender, and interests, and the kind customers can buy or make an appropriate gift and then they take it to their local store in a gift bag by the date on the tag. I know the Dunelm staff work really hard checking and delivering the gifts, and we are so grateful to our local team – it’s a brilliant way of spreading festive cheer."

The gifts are another festive treat for residents at Butterfly Lodge, who will also be treated to a special advent calendar featuring a special Christmas-themed event or activity up to and including Christmas Day itself.

Sarah said: “I don’t want to spoil the surprises ahead of time, but our calendar includes some delightful visitors, trips out, music, games and lots more features to help our lovely residents live their best lives and enjoy this special time of year.”

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