AN 89-year-old care home resident has spoken of his joy and amazement at being part of a community pride parade waved on by thousands of smiling well-wishers.
Patrick Haddingham, who lives at Colten Care’s Avon Cliff in Bournemouth, was in a party from the home who joined the Bourne Free event through the town centre.
It was Patrick’s wish to be involved, having been a spectator of the parade in the past.
Team members at Avon Cliff responded to his request by speaking to the Bourne Free organisers to secure a spot for him and three fellow residents just in front of a Colten Care minibus.
They dressed in rainbow accessories and face paint, with Patrick adding more style to the fun by donning a shiny black and gold blazer and blue mirror sunglasses.
Patrick said: “What an amazing experience I had. I never thought I would be able to be on the parade at my age and I never thought I would see so many people in one place ever again. Seeing people smile and wave made my day. It was better than I could have imagined.”
This year’s Bourne Free was led by actor Su Pollard, star of the TV sitcom Hi-de-Hi! and a well-known pantomime performer, who travelled the route in a Bentley Continental.
The annual parade was established by members of the LGBT community in 2004 to celebrate and promote equality and diversity in Bournemouth.