CARE home staff received VIP tickets to a crucial Middlesbrough FC match in appreciation of an ongoing partnership with the club’s Foundation.
The MFC Foundation invited staff from the Hill Care Group, which operates homes across the North East, to last month’s clash against Stoke City FC.
As The Boro fought for a play-off position on the pitch, the care home guests watched the action unfold from an executive box.
Kirsty Walsh, activities coordinator at Ingleby Care Home, and Julie Walker, customer relations officer for the Hill Care Group, were also treated to lunch during the game.
As a lifelong Boro fan and season ticket holder, Kirsty gave her regular seat to her uncle for the match, so she could enjoy the VIP treatment.
She said: “It was so kind of the MFC Foundation to think of us. Lunch was delicious and best of all The Boro won.”
Claire Streeter, MFC Foundation Social Inclusion Manager, said: “It was an absolute pleasure to invite Julie and Kirsty to be guests of MFC Foundation at the MFC game.
“It was a great way of thanking Hill Care for their fantastic partnership support over the past few years with our National Citizen Service programme.
“We are very much looking forward to further developing the programme over the coming months and increasing the intergenerational activities between the two organisations.”
Through the MFC Foundation National Citizen Service (NCS), dozens of 15 to 17-year-olds have spent time at Hill Care’s various homes, working with residents and carrying out voluntary activities.
This has included helping at summer fairs, running pamper sessions, organising games and gardening work, among other activities.
Julie said: “The young people on the MFC NCS programme make such a difference to the residents in our care homes.
“It is a vitally important partnership and one that has sparked similar partnerships with other NCS groups around the country.
“We look forward to further collaborative work with the MFC Foundation over the coming months and years.”