Colchester care home resident meets Tom Jones at concert

Sylvia Hallet, 96, got the VIP treatment when she went to watch the superstar at Audley End. 

And to Sylvia's surprise an hour before hitmaker Tom went on stage he stopped by to say hello. 

The special encounter was made possible by Crouched Friars care home, where Sylvia lives and charity FaNs which runs a ‘Wishing Washing Line’ initiative.

It is designed to create unique opportunities for older people in residential care to live out to their dreams.

Sylvia, care home activities coordinator Yvonne Smith, deputy manager Lyn Barry and FaNs organiser Tony Lee were granted exclusive access to the Welsh sensation’s show.

Fun - Sylvia and team at the Tom Jones show (Image: Crouched Friars Care Home)

They received complete VIP treatment, access to the VIP area, and accessible viewing, all arranged by Giles Cooper and the rest of the team.

Sylvia said she had the "best night ever" and made "memories to last a lifetime".

She said: “Tom Jones has been my favourite singer since the late 60s and I can’t believe I had the opportunity to meet him and watch him live. 

"It was a surreal, once-in-a-lifetime experience that I will always cherish”.

Paulina Eagle, the home manager at Crouched Friars, has been helping residents' wishes come true as part of her Dignity Action Day initiative all year.

She has fulfilled wishes from first flights to dance lessons and even little things like getting fish and chips, and is thrilled that Sylvia’s wish has come true.

Paulina said: “I am still trying to get my head around it and I can’t believe Sylvia has been given this incredible opportunity.

“When we started granting wishes, we never thought something so brilliant could come out of it. We are all overjoyed for Sylvia and are loving hearing all the stories from the big day”.

Smiles - Crouched Friars and FaNs team with Tom Jones (Image: Crouched Friars Care Home)

Tony Lee, from FaNs, said: “We would like to thank Katie Patricia Jean Donnelly for setting the plan in motion, Paddy Milner, who is also Sir Tom’s keyboard player, Tom Cleary for the introduction, Jacqui Cooper, Abigail Potter and the whole GCE Events team for their hospitality.

“Also, massive thanks to Rob who helped us with the parking, the GCE access team and VIP steward Paul, who, despite the rain, laid his coat over Sylvia’s lap for the whole evening”.

Paulina and the team at Crouched Friars are working on making more wishes come true for other residents at Crouched Friars with the support of local charities as part of their Dignity Action Day promise.

Sylvia has been a resident at Crouched Friars for over a year, for more information about Crouched Friars Residential Home, visit their website https://www.crouchedfriars.co.uk/.

For more information about the FaNs network, visit their website https://www.mhlec.org/fans-initiatives