Melvin's Surprise

Staff at Willow Court in Harpenden surprised and delighted 75 year old resident, Melvin Armstrong, with the help of the National Police Air Service. Mr Armstrong, a former designer for car manufacturer Vauxhall, and a mechanical engineering enthusiast, was granted his wish to visit Lippitts Hill Base in Loughton and see the police helicopters. Melvyn made the wish as part of Quantum Care’s silver wishes initiative, in which staff across our 26 homes have taken up the challenge of granting one wish to each of their 1,600 residents. When asked by staff what his greatest wish was, Melvyn answered that his fondest memories was traveling to the Scilly Islands by helicopter as a young man and that he would love to see a helicopter again, and learn more about them. With the help of Charlotte McGahern, the Tactical Flight Officer at Lippitts Hill Base, and the Willow Court care home’s Activities Coordinators Rachel and Muniza, Melvyn’s wish was made a reality with a VIP tour of the helicopter base. Even more excitingly for Melvyn, he was also given permission to sit in the operational helicopter and even got to watch a live-feed of a search and rescue operation. At the end of the visit Charlotte presented Melvin with a National Police Air Service cap and a picture of the helicopter. Melvyn Armstrong said: “I was absolutely delighted at the opportunity to visit the Police Air Service base. I really enjoyed the trip and with my design background I was thrilled to be able to get so close to the helicopter. We saw the film about the service and I didn’t realise they were involved in so many ways to keep us safe. I was so pleased when they presented me with my cap and helicopter picture. I am now going to wear my hat every day as I feel really proud of what our police force are doing and I want everybody else to know about it too” Rachel Messer, Activities Coordinator at Willow Court care home said: “It was an honour to help make Melvyn’s wish come true. I would like to thank the National Police Air Service, the staff at Lippitts Hill Base and especially Charlotte for being so accommodating and going above and beyond to bring a smile to Melvyn’s face. Melvyn loves helicopters and to be allowed to sit in the Operational Helicopter – the one the police use the most – and also watch a real search and rescue mission take place was a dream come true for him. He smiled the whole time we were there and hasn’t stopped talking about it since. It was a delight to watch. Activities like this are the hallmark of good care and we are looking forward to helping more residents achieve their life-long dreams”.