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Charitable Care Home Resident to Celebrate World Book Day with Local Schoolchildren

A former award-winning poet and writer who founded a charity to help disabled horse lovers will be among a number of care home residents meeting primary schoolchildren on World Book Day as part of an intergenerational partnership.

Maureen Cameron Francis, better known as Mo, will join Year 3 pupils from Llanfaes Primary School and her fellow residents at Trenewydd care home on Thursday 5 March to mark the internationally-recognised day through the sharing of stories.

Horse-mad Mo will certainly have plenty of tales to tell, as the qualified riding instructor has a fascinating equine background, which includes founding the carriage-driving branch of the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA), in order to help disabled equestrians who cannot ride.

Mo will also prove the perfect reading companion for the children, as the former school teacher penned her very own horsey book to raise money for the charity she founded. The accomplished wordsmith is also an award-winning poet, and even flew to Washington in 1979 to pick up a bronze-medal for one of her works.

Louise Williams, activity coordinator at the Shaw-operated care home, said: “We are delighted to mark World Book Day with pupils from Llanfaes Primary School.

“Residents like Mo really benefit from interaction with younger visitors, as it helps to tackle loneliness and boosts moods. Meanwhile I’m sure the children will also love meeting Mo and hearing all about her, and our other residents’, fascinating lives.”