Harry’s Day out to Remember!

Right at Home scores as Harry gets the VIP treatment at Ilkeston Town!

Christmas has come early for a lifelong Ilkeston Town supporter this year after he was surprised with the VIP treatment from new owners.

Home Care Organisation Right at Home value providing their clients with regular visits into the community, but in the past arranging trips for Harry to his favourite football club has left him with restricted views and braving the cold.

Not anymore! As an ex-club secretary 94 year old Harry rolled back the years talking to everyone from the manager Steve Chettle to the handyman Tony about past trials and tribulations of Ilkeston Town, who Harry has keenly followed from afar after his mobility was affected several years ago.

Ilkeston Town and Notts County owner Alan Hardy said: “It was a great pleasure to welcome Harry back to the Club, and we hope he enjoyed his matchday experience.  Harry is exactly what we are about; his unwavering passion and enthusiasm for Ilkeston Town Football Club is there for all to see.  We hope he enjoyed his chats with the Manager, Club Officials and catching up with some old familiar faces, and look forward to seeing him back at The New Manor Ground very soon”.

Right at Home Nottingham was contacted by Harry in March 2014 when his condition was considered palliative due to a severe grade 4 pressure sore as a result of hospitalisation and poor social care and support. Harry and wife Sheila had no family and only a few loyal friends to support. Bed bound and with no movement from the waist down, Harry was very specific in that he wanted to maintain his independence at home with Sheila for as long as possible. Sheila was his life.

Right at Home knew from the outset that setting a goal of once again visiting his favourite club would give Harry hope and would be a huge part of his rehabilitation.

Christopher Tansley, Director at Right at Home Nottingham said: “We are very anti-isolation and often organise and search for ways of interaction within communities important to the individual, whether it’s a church group, dance class or a trip to the local garden centre, our team are often seen supporting this kind of activity in the community.

“Finding like-minded organisations who value social support makes all the difference.”