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 10 staff and 14 residents.
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.”