Windsor Court Takes on 'I’m A Covid Hero, Get Me Out of Here!'

Staff from Wetherby care home, Windsor Court, raise over £1000 after taking on infamous bush tucker trials with Emmerdale’s Charity Dingle!

The caring team have undertaken some stomach-churning challenges inspired by the hit ITV programme, ‘I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!’ to entertain their residents and raise additional money for their activity fund.

Photo Description: Emma Atkins joined the contestants

The dedicated care team contestants, comprised of Home Manager, Paula Mountjoy, Care Manager, Sophie Summerscales, Deputy Manager, Charlie Parker, Regional Director, Lisa Harding and Managing Director, Stacey Linn, confronted their fears to complete the infamous eating bush tucker trials, which saw them tucking into a gruesome ten-course meal including crickets, worms, locusts, cow tongue, fisheye and even pig penis and testicles!

Special guest star, Emma Atkins, also known as Charity Dingle in ITV soap opera Emmerdale, hosted the contest, interacting with the residents throughout the trial and encouraging the contestants during each dish.

Photo Description: Home Manager Paula Mountjoy, tucked into Cow Tongue​

Lifestyle Manager, Kirsty Watson, who was the driving force for the challenges, said, ‘We are always encouraged to push the boat out for activities and I was really able to run wild with our trials. It was my pleasure to organise, and we had a blast!

A huge thank you to Emma for coming down to be our host. She was brilliant and got everyone involved. Our residents were over the moon to meet one of their favourite characters from Emmerdale and receive autographs!’.

95-year-old resident and fan of the hit ITV show, Ann Forester, said, ‘It was so much fun watching as the team took on the different dishes, I certainly am glad it wasn’t me having to eat those things! It was hilarious to watch the faces they were pulling and there was a huge round of applause as we crowned our winner! Overall, a brilliant day!’.

Photo Description: Emma Atkins hosted the contest for the live resident audience

After a nail-biting 10 courses, Deputy Manager, Charlie Parker, was crowned ‘Queen of the Care Home’ after eating a fish eye in an impressive 3 seconds. She said, ‘I am so glad we were able to raise so much money for our resident's fund. Being ‘Queen of the Care Home’ was brilliant, all of the residents cheered for me, but I think all of our contestants deserved a crown because the trial was really difficult! Emma was also marvellous on the day as our host, she really helped us to get through each dish!’.

Home Manager, and contestant for the day, Paula Mountjoy, said, ‘Our ‘I’m A Covid Hero, Get Me Out of Here’ afternoon was such a huge success, I don’t think there is a better feeling than seeing our residents laughing and having fun, even if it is at our expense!

Photo Description: Sophie Summerscales, Care Manager, repulsed at her meal

Kirsty outdid herself with this one and we raised lots of extra money for our resident's fund which will go towards funding more activities and day trips out, so far we have had lots of suggestions on our ‘wish list’ and we can’t wait to make our residents wishes come true!’.

Windsor Court, operated by Ideal Carehomes, is a residential and dementia care home boasting a hair salon, café, cinema and convenience store. The home, which has recently been rated as ‘GOOD’ by the Care Quality Commission, is currently welcoming new residents for respite and long term.