101-year-old's lifelong wish to become a Beaver comes true

A 101-year-old woman who harboured a secret lifelong desire to be a member of the Beavers group, saw her wish finally come true thanks to care home staff.

Pip Peek has been a resident at St Pauls Care Centre in Hemel Hempstead for the last six years and has at last confided in care staff about her unusual ambition.

‘I’m too old’ to be a beaver

Ms Peek told staff “I wish I could be a Beaver but I’m too old”.

The 101-year-old’s request is unusual because beavers are the first and youngest section of the Scout Group. Beaver Scouts are typically aged between six and eight-years-old.

Nevertheless, the care home has a wishing tree where residents’ wishes are hung up and granted and staff spoke to the leader of a local Beaver group in Hemel Hempstead to see if the centenarian could become an honorary member of the Beavers.

Proving that age really was no barrier, a colony of Beavers soon turned up at Pip’s bedside at St Pauls Care Centre to present the centenarian with a bright yellow neckerchief.

The Beavers then gave her a full group salute to make her an honorary member of their group.

'I can't believe wish has come true'

Ms Peek said: “I can’t believe my wish has come true. You’re all so lovely, how wonderful!”

Beavers typically enjoy all that scouting has to offer; being introduced to lots of outdoor activities, having the opportunity to be creative, exploring their local community and experiencing the excitement of a Beaver Scout sleepover with friends.

The Beavers also sang Christmas carols and handed out decorations and handmade Christmas cards to each of the residents at the care home.

Beth Marchant-Roe, head of activities at St Pauls Care Centre, which is run by Westgate Healthcare, said: “The Beavers bring so much energy to the home and it is infectious, they encourage the residents to break out of their shells by singing, chatting and even exercising with them.

“Our residents with dementia really enjoy the reminiscence they get from talking about their family and children, it’s always lovely to see.”

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