KIND hearted care home staff have helped one resident fulfill an unusual lifelong dream... of holding a Boa constrictor. 

Chris Jiggings, 51, moved into the Oak's Care Home, in Colchester, last year for support with his disability. 

The staff run a ‘Wish Come True’ campaign and when they heard Chris wanted to hold a Boa constrictor they set about making his dream come true. 

Volunteer, Louise Thain, was able to grant Chris’ wish, bringing in her three pet snakes, a 6-foot Boa constrictor, a 3-foot Sunglow dwarf boa constrictor and a 4-foot Royal python.

On seeing his dream come true, Chris said: “Me and my friends used to look for grass snakes when I was younger. That’s how it all started. I’ve been interested in them ever since.

“It was incredible to hold one, especially the 6ft Boa constrictor. He was strong but manageable. He seemed to like me and take to me straight away.”

Not afraid of community work, the reptiles have already previously met with Cub, Scout and guide groups across Colchester, and owner Louise was delighted to introduce them to Oaks’ residents.

She said: “It was a lovely experience to meet the residents and to see the absolute delight on their faces when they were touching or holding the snakes.”

Creating this wish was challenging for the home’s well-being co-ordinator, Margaret Brodie.

She said: “I wasn’t able to find anyone to bring snakes in for a long time,  so it was a bit tricky.

“But we always do what we can to make our residents’ wishes come true and Chris was so chuffed we set this up for him.

 “We get to know our residents as individuals, and we find out what they really want. We love to make them feel valued and special, because they are all special.

 “The look on his face when he realised what was happening was pure amazement, it was really heart-warming. The visit was a huge success and Chris was certainly in his element.”

Chris hopes to move into a flat of his own in the future.