David Downs Tools After 42 Years To Enjoy Retirement

A West Yorkshire man has downed tools and retired 42 years after he started working at Saltaire based Czajka Care Group’s care homes.

David Riley initially started working for Mary Parker, who previously owned Currergate Nursing Home near Keighley, in 1975.  The home was acquired by Czajka Care Group in 2003 and David was then promoted to property maintenance manager.  More recently he started working in health and safety compliance, across Czajka Care Group’s five Yorkshire care homes.

Just over 10 years ago he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and has since participated in a wide range of fundraising initiatives for Parkinson’s UK, as well as heading up the charity’s support and research Skipton and District Branch, which he will continue to do.  The support group currently has 60 members in Skipton and its surrounding area, and David is currently involved in planning for Parkinson’s Awareness Week in April.

To celebrate David’s retirement, Czajka Care Group threw a party for him at Currergate Nursing Home which was attended by a wide range of colleagues and residents.

David says: “I’ve always enjoyed working and making a difference to Czajka Care Group’s residents, and the last 42 years have flown by.  Plus, my way of dealing with Parkinson’s has been to keep myself busy and occupy my mind, but the time has come to take a step back.

“I’m now planning to embark on a new phase of life and enjoy retirement, as well as continuing to work with the Skipton and District Branch of Parkinson’s UK.  Although I’ll certainly miss working at Czajka Care Group, I’m sure I’ll still visit the team now and again and I’m certainly looking forward to what lies ahead in my life.”

Konrad Czajka, Managing Director of Czajka Care Group, says: “David has been a fantastically loyal member of the team.  His work ethic is second to none and it’s impressive that he has continued working into his 70s, which is a major achievement, especially when you consider his long-term battle with Parkinson’s and the way he has never allowed it to stand in his way.

“David is extremely popular with both our residents and colleagues and we’re all sad to see him go, but after 42 years, he thoroughly deserves to enjoy his retirement and we wish him all the best for the future.”