Care home staff tuck into fish eyes and locusts in charity bushtucker trial hosted by Emmerdale star

Emmerdale’s Charity Dingle joined care home staff from Windsor Court in Weatherby as they took on the infamous bush tucker trial inspired by the hit ITV programme, ‘I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!’ to raise over £1,000 for their residents' fund.

TV star, Emma Atkins, who plays Charity Dingle in the ITV soap opera, hosted the ‘I’m A Covid Hero, Get Me Out of Here’ for the afternoon.

Ms Atkins announced the name of each dish when they were presented to the staff and helped encourage the contestants to eat the dishes to help raise funds for their residents.

The team tucked into a ten-course meal including crickets, worms, locusts, cow tongue, fish eyes, pig penis and testicles.

Lifestyle manager, Kirsty Watson, who organised the day, said, ‘We are always encouraged to push the boat out for activities, and I was really able to run wild with our trials. It was my pleasure to organise, and we had a blast.

“A huge thank you to Emma for coming down to be our host. She was brilliant and got everyone involved. Our residents were over the moon to meet one of their favourite characters from Emmerdale and receive autographs.”

’I don’t think there is a better feeling than seeing our residents having fun’

After a nail-biting 10 courses, deputy manager from Windsor Court Charlie Parker, was crowned ‘Queen of the Care Home’ after eating a fisheye in an impressive three seconds.

Ms Parker said: “I am so glad we were able to raise so much money for our residents' fund. Being ‘Queen of the Care Home’ was brilliant, all of the residents cheered for me, but I think all of our contestants deserved a crown because the trial was really difficult!

“Emma was also marvellous on the day as our host, she really helped us to get through each dish.”

The team entertained their residents and raised the money to fund exciting trips out of the home once safe to do so.

Home manager, Paula Mountjoy, said: “Our ‘I’m A Covid Hero, Get Me Out of Here’ afternoon was such a huge success, I don’t think there is a better feeling than seeing our residents laughing and having fun, even if it is at our expense!

“Kirsty outdid herself with this one and we raised lots of extra money for our residents' fund which will go towards funding more activities and day trips out, so far we have had lots of suggestions on our ‘wish list’ and we can’t wait to make our residents' wishes come true.”

Resident and fan of Emmerdale, Ann Forester (95) said: “It was so much fun watching as the team took on the different dishes, I certainly am glad it wasn’t me having to eat those things! It was hilarious to watch the faces they were pulling and there was a huge round of applause as we crowned our winner. Overall, a brilliant day.”

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