A LIVERPOOL care home has helped make 82-year-old retired firefighter Albie Donoghue’s dream come true by reuniting him with his firefighting mates, who brought his beloved fire engine to surprise him.
Albert ‘Albie’ Donoghue dedicated more than 25 years of service as a firefighter in the Liverpool community. He now lives at Thornton Hall and Lodge in Crosby.
In December the care home asked all its residents about their dreams and wishes for 2025. Albie’s one wish was simple: “See my firefighting friends and their fire engine.”
Knowing Albie’s history, the care team quickly sprang into action, reaching out to Bootle and Netherton Community Fire Station in secret.
Watch Manager Anna and firefighters Paul, Adam and Tony brought the fire engine down to Thornton Hall and Lodge to make his dream a reality.
Albie and some of the residents were shown the top-of-the-range equipment used to save lives in roadside collisions and he even got to use the water hose … which he cheekily used to spray some of the care colleagues.
The Merseyside Fire and Rescue team later joined the home for afternoon tea and cake, where they brought a very special gift for Albie – his very own branded T-shirt, hat and pin as well as some pictures from their fire station dating back to the 70s and 80s when Albie was stationed there.
Some of the residents created handmade cards to give to the firefighters as a thank-you for keeping their community safe.