“Inspirational” Couple Mark 40 Years With Hampers For 800 Care Heroes
An “inspirational” couple have given festive hampers to more than 800 staff as their pioneering care organisation marked its 40th anniversary in style.
Founders Mario Kreft MBE and his wife, Gill, toured Pendine Park’s care homes, thanking staff and residents during joint Christmas and anniversary celebrations.
Pendine Park opened just before Christmas in 1985 when the couple launched Gwern Alyn care home in Wrexham with just 10 staff and 14 residents – the beginning of a remarkable journey that’s shaped social care in Wales.
Four decades on, the organisations has grown into a major provider with nine homes in Wrexham and Caernarfon, 440 beds and more than 860 employees.
Parties were held at all the homes and every member of staff received a hamper as a personal gesture of gratitude from the couple described by residents as “exceptional” and “remarkable”.
They said that the December day 40 years ago when they opened the doors to their first care home would be forever etched in their memory.
Gill said: “I can remember all our first residents here, I remember them vividly – a lady called Eunice Barlow was the first one.
“The last 40 years have been mostly joy, and it’s been about really getting to know people and their families.
“But of course it is tinged with some sadness, the pandemic was very difficult for us, the staff and the families.
“The contribution of the staff has been monumental, genuinely unbelievable, and we are humbled every single day by the work they do.”
Despite the company’s growth, Mario said the opening of the couple’s first care home remained the most memorable moment.
He said: “It was a very exciting day, and we used that as a springboard.
“Back in 1985 I don’t think we thought the company would have grown into what it has become.
“We’ve gone on to be an award-winning company and grown organically and evolved and dealt with the challenges.”
According to Mario, it was important for staff and residents to mark the 40th anniversary and their contribution to the success of the company and said providing more than 860 Christmas hampers to the staff was a token of appreciation for all their hard work
He said: “Our anniversary parties this year have been combined with our Christmas parties – we like to party at Pendine.
“We have done the hampers for many years. We have three local suppliers for the products in the hampers – Majestic Wine, Village Bakery and Gerrards Bakery – and they make a lovely hamper for the staff and it’s gone down incredibly well.”
The couple are both passionate about the arts and launched the Pendine Arts and Communities Trust which supports a host of community and arts-related activities.
Mario is also a fearless campaigner for the social care sector, founding both Care Forum Wales, which represents around 500 independent providers, and the Wales Care Awards, to recognise frontline care workers.
He is passionate about promoting equality and fair funding for vulnerable people who need care.
Gwern Alyn resident Beryl Fowler presented flowers to Gill to mark the 40th anniversary.
Beryl said: “I was so pleased to be able to present the flowers to Gill because we are so proud of this remarkable couple.
“They are exceptional and the staff here are wonderful, they are so loyal and caring.”
