Care staff fancy dress walks bringing smiles to Burnley community

Colourful Burnley care workers have been raising spirits as well as funds for Pendleside Hospice with their unusual walks.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Nikki McDowall, Ashley Waterworth and Olivia Clark, who work for charity My Life, decided to make the most of their daily walks by donning funny costumes in order to spread a bit of cheer.

Onlookers have been treated to a variety of characters including a dinosaur, Pokemon’s Pikachu and a frog.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The trio are all currently living in the same house with the person that they care for, and Nikki said: “We thought that this new way of doing our daily walks would give people in our community a smile.

Nikki McDowall, Ashley Waterworth and Olivia Clark are now raising money for Pendleside HospiceNikki McDowall, Ashley Waterworth and Olivia Clark are now raising money for Pendleside Hospice
Nikki McDowall, Ashley Waterworth and Olivia Clark are now raising money for Pendleside Hospice

"We’re pleased to say that whenever they see us, local children have been excited, adults have laughed and we have been cheered and clapped.

"Cars have beeped and there have been people waving everywhere we go.”

The three were even invited into the playground of a local school so that the children of key workers could see them, with social distancing.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Caroline Tomlinson, CEO of My Life, said: “We are so proud of Nikki, Ashley and Olivia for showing such great initiative. As a charity, My Life aims to connect people with their communities by combating loneliness and isolation.

"We’ve been doing a lot of work to support the community during the pandemic and they have highlighted the way in which you can use creativity and humour to maintain and improve the mental wellbeing of yourself and others. They’ve managed to bring everyone together whilst observing social distancing, during what is a difficult time for many people.”

After being repeatedly asked if they were raising money for a charity, the three have decided to set up a JustGiving page – which can be viewed here – to raise funds for Pendleside Hospice.

Follow the ‘Smiles for the Community’ on Facebook..