2021 Miss Surrey Winner Brings Cheer To Residents At Woking Care Home

Residents at a Woking care home were left overjoyed and inspired after receiving a surprise visit from 2021’s recently crowned Miss Surrey.

Determined to give something back to the local community following her prestigious title, 19-year-old Dhwani Kothari, from Woking, Surrey, recently toured the grounds of Nellsar’s Princess Christian Care Centre, greeting and sharing stories with residents, while adhering to the social distancing protocols still in place following the Government’s easing of restrictions last month.

During her visit, Dhwani, now a Miss England finalist, applauded and paid homage to the outstanding care delivered by all the team at Princess Christian, whose collective strength and cohesion has been instrumental in promoting the physical and mental well-being of residents – a core strategy at Nellsar – over the past 18 months.

Dhwani, a carer and medical student, was born in Mumbai, India, and moved to Surrey with her mother aged six. From the age of eight, Dhwani became a carer for her mum, Ekta, after she was diagnosed with a brain tumour.

Since then, she has become increasingly engaged with the condition and with medicine more generally, taking up a place at the University of Leicester to study medical science with dreams of becoming an NHS doctor.

Dhwani’s unwavering devotion to social care has extended well beyond her family background, having taken up an enduring interest in connecting with the community’s local residents.

And Dhwani made it her personal mission to gain an insight into all of those residing at Princess Christian, trading tales and showing them her dress, provided by Pamela Jane Bridal Boutique in nearby Camberley, and crown before exchanging smiles in some heart-warming photographs. Ekta, who is now tumour-free, joined her daughter on the surprise visit along with her son, Jai.

Christine Foster, Activities Manager at Princess Christian Care Centre, said: “We were delighted to welcome Dhwani to Princess Christian to meet our residents and show them her winning crown, with some even getting to try it on. She was kind enough to spend her day chatting with the residents and sharing stories of her recent triumph, which they all really appreciated. Having spent time caring for her mother, Dhwani understood how to connect with the residents on a meaningful level which was wonderful to see. We wish her all the best in the Miss England final!”.