This is the hilarious moment staff at a care home gave an 85-year-old her wish – and invited two PENGUINS in to visit her.
Mavis Ede even wore a special penguin jumper as she met hand-reared Humboldt penguins Pringle and Charlie.
She is a resident at Care UK’s Highmarket House in Banbury, Oxon, and told her care team her greatest wish was to see penguins.
They immediately set to work to make it happen – although she was not expecting to see them so close to home.
The visit was part of the home’s ‘Wishing Tree’ Initiative, which encourages residents to put wishes forward, allowing them to reconnect with a hobby or something new.
Mavis was delighted to interact with the penguins, stroking and even holding Charlie on her lap.
The penguins were brought into the home by Amazing Animals, and are friendly, relaxed and used to human contact.
They live in a specially constructed enclosure, including a swimming pool, pebbled beach and penguin house at Heythrop Zoological Gardens.
They are kept together in a breeding group to ensure regular social interactions.
Originating from South America, the animals are used to warm weather and can adjust to different environments.
Jo Pohl, home manager at Highmarket House, said: “At our care home with a difference we always like to go the extra-mile for residents, and make their wishes come true – no matter how unusual.
”Mavis has always talked about penguins with passion, so we were really excited to be able to make her dream of seeing them up close come true.
“We don’t accept that life at a care home has to be a particular way – we ensure there are no limitations to activities residents pursue and help them to lead independent, fulfilling lives, however they choose.
“Each day at our care home is different and fun, but today was something extraordinary. It was a truly wonderful moment when Mavis met the penguins and certainly created a stir in the home – we’ll be talking about this for weeks.”