ANNE Fitzmaurice, a resident at Cotswold Home, Burford, since February 2021 has moved to South Africa to be with her son and family.
At the age of 99, Fitz as she likes to be known, was undaunted by the journey overseas to a new life on her son’s farm near Tweespruit, in the Free State.
Born in Lowestoft and having lived in Bledington for many years, she was very much a part of the Cotswold Home and particularly fond of animals, visiting the resident pet guinea pig every morning. Despite enjoying living at the home, Fitz’s family were so far away, so she decided to move to be with them.
The staff at Cotswold Home played a large part in facilitating Fitz’s trip, arranging the tickets and the assistance needed en-route, with unit manager Caroline Lockwood accompanying her on the whole journey.
“I have been lucky to get to know Fitz during her time at the home and we planned the trip together,” she said.
“I took time out of my annual leave to accompany her on the whole journey, from Burford to Tweespruit.”
Fitz and Caroline flew from London Heathrow to Johannesburg with British Airways who provided a fully escorted service. The flight crew were delighted to host Fitz, making the trip a special one not only for her as a passenger but for the crew as she was the oldest person to date to have flown with the airline on a long-haul flight.
From Johannesburg, Caroline and Fitz travelled by road to her son’s farm where she is now happily settled, although missing her friends and fellow residents back home.
