Care Home and Firefighters Make Retired Fireman’s 2025 Dream a Reality
A care home in Liverpool has helped make 82-year-old retired firefighter Albie Donoghue’s 2025 dream come true by reuniting him with his firefighting mates, who brought his beloved fire engine to surprise him.
Albert “Albie” Donoghue dedicated over 25 years of service as a firefighter in the Liverpool community. He now lives at Thornton Hall and Lodge Care Home in Crosby.
The home is part of the Orchard Care Homes group, which operates 23 care homes in the Midlands and the North of England.
In December the care home asked all its residents about their dreams and wishes for 2025. Albie’s one wish was simple: “See my firefighting friends and their fire engine.”
Knowing Albie’s history, the care team quickly sprang into action, reaching out to Bootle and Netherton Community Fire Station in secret.
Watch Manager Anna and three firefighters, Paul, Adam and Tony brought the fire engine down to Thornton Hall and Lodge to make Albie’s dream a reality.
Albie and some of the residents were shown the top-of-the-range equipment used to save lives in roadside collisions and he even got to use the water hose … which he cheekily used to spray some of the care colleagues!
The Merseyside Fire and Rescue team later joined the home for afternoon tea and cake, where they brought a very special gift for Albie – his very own branded t-shirt, hat and pin as well as some pictures from their fire station dating back to the 70’s and 80’s when Albie was stationed there.
The visit went down a treat with other people who live at the home, especially some of the ladies. Maureen jokingly said: “I’ll have to call you later, I already have your number – it’s 999 or 111 in non-emergencies!”
Some of the residents created handmade cards to give to the firefighters as a thank-you for keeping their community safe.
Emily Dickson, Activities Coordinator at Thornton Hall and Lodge, said: “A huge thank you to the team from Bootle and Netherton Community Fire Station for coming down and making Albie’s 2025 dream come true; he hasn’t stopped smiling all afternoon!
“You made our day. We had a wonderful time and can’t wait to see you all again in the summer.”