Singer Brings Joy to Family

Company news

Feb 09, 2007

Barbara Buckley and her family are facing bigger health problems than most other families in the UK. Mum Barbara has heart disease and has been told she has only two years to live. Her husband Paul has leukaemia and is on chemotherapy and her daughter has MS. Her grandson Danny Jo suffers from tourettes syndrome and her brother, who suffers from mental health problems, often comes to stay.

They are supported in their home by Care UK which, according to Barbara, has changed the family's lives for the better.

While talking to her carer, Michelle Huckle, Barbara mentioned that one of her wishes was to go to her home country of Ireland and meet singer Daniel O'Donnell. She realised that, because of ill health, this would remain a dream.

Wendy discussed this with Chester Care UK manager Lorraine Kingham, who decided to contact Daniel O'Donnell's fan club on the Internet to see what she could do. His manager contacted Lorraine and, after telling her that a call from Daniel to Barbara would make her Christmas, Lorraine gave her Barbara's telephone number and hoped for the best.

On Christmas Eve, with many of her family around her, Barbara received the call from Daniel. Said Michelle: "Barbara was ecstatic that Daniel rang her at home. She was so excited - initially she thought it was a joke, but before long she was shedding tears of joy. She thanked us so much, saying that it had made her day and her Christmas, and she then spent the rest of the day calling her family in the US to tell them the news!"

Lorraine continued: "We were more than happy to help and absolutely delighted that Daniel took time out of his busy schedule to give Barbara a call. Barbara is a lovely woman who, with her family of eight children, faces more adversity than most. We enjoy providing her with a level of care and service that make a difference to her and her family, and she repays us by singing our praises."

Care UK's Chester homecare branch provides domiciliary care to older people, adults with learning disabilities or mental health needs.

It is also a care agency providing a total staffing solution to the health and social care sector.

The Chester homecare branch is also able to provide all levels of staff including qualified nurses, healthcare assistants and care workers to care homes, hospitals, GP practices, industry, social services and to private individuals.

More information about the Chester homecare branch can be contacted on 10244 313180. More information about Daniel O'Donnell is available by logging on at www.daniel-site.com.