98-year-old care home resident relives youth by climbing 50ft tree

At the age of 98, care home resident Agnes Kaye has become the oldest person to climb a fifteen-metre sycamore tree at a Thirsk activity centre.

Ms Kaye who resides at Hambleton Grange spoke of the joy she felt when she would reach the top of a tall tree when she was young and expressed how much she wished she could climb a tree once again during her daily walk with the care team.

Eager to fulfil Agnes’ wish, the care team got in touch with Carlton Lodge Activity Centre in Thirsk, who were delighted to invite Ms Kaye to take on their Climbing Tree Challenge.

George Plant, head of the centre at Carlton Lodge, said: “It was great to have Agnes here. She got out of the taxi, chattering away excitedly, and didn’t really stop talking until she left.

“She was really excited about climbing a tree again after so many years – she told us all about her childhood and how she was still a tough old nut.”

Ms Kaye, who lives at Hambleton Grange care home, grew up on a farm in Kipling, Scotland, where she would ‘climb every tree in the area’ as a child so when the big day came, Ms Kaye was harnessed up and taken to the nearly-50-foot climbing tree. When she began her ascent up the ladder, there was no stopping her.

Making her way up through the tree branches with a smile on her face, Ms Kaye looked out to enjoy the views.

She said: “This has been the best day of my life. I didn’t think I would ever be able to climb a tree like that again!”

After being lowered down on her harness, the team at Carlton Lodge presented Agnes with a certificate, naming her the ‘most spritely and mature person to climb this tree’.

On returning to Hambleton Grange, Ms Kaye enjoyed a flapjack and a warm cup of coffee.

Sandra Anderson, home manager at Hambleton Grange, said: “It was a real privilege to have been able to grant Agnes’ wish to go climbing as she used to as a child.

“When our residents tell us about things they want to experience, we love to provide them with those experiences, and we’re so grateful to our friends at Carlton Lodge for helping us to give Agnes such a special day.

“We can’t wait to see whose wish we can grant next.”