Ninety-six-year-old volunteer at care home 'utterly shocked' after being awarded MBE

A 96-year-old volunteer at a care home in Leicester has said he is “utterly shocked” after he was awarded an MBE for the support he gives to care home residents.

Tom Bradley started helping out at the home when his wife Renelle moved to Beaumont Hall in 2017. Sadly his wife died in 2020 but he continues to visit the home putting on events and activities for the residents.

Mr Bradley spends five days a week at the care home in Beaumont Leys, hosting afternoon teas, organising bingo games and putting on film shows. He also brings his dog Molly in to visit the residents and helps out with any odd jobs that need doing.

He said: “I was in such a shock when I received the letter. I couldn’t believe it. It never occurred to me that I would ever be given an MBE!

“It is now starting to sink in, and I feel incredibly proud and deeply honoured. Everyone at Beaumont Hall has been so kind, sending cards and messages of congratulations. They are all very excited for me. I just love spending time there, being with people and having fun with the residents and have no plans to stop anytime soon.”

The care home is planning to get a new name badge for Mr Bradley saying ‘Tony Bradley MBE’, with manager Lee Daly saying: “Tony is here all the time and can’t do enough to help us and spend time with our residents. We’re all very proud of him and this really couldn’t have happened to a nicer or more deserving person.

“Tony is a hugely valuable part of our team here at Beaumont Hall and on behalf of all our staff and residents we wish him our warmest congratulations.”

Beaumont Hall, on Beaumont Leys in Leicester, is a residential and dementia care home operated by Ideal Carehomes.

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