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Spreading kindness in Surrey and West Sussex
Cleankill Pest Control is always looking for ways it can give back to the local community.
Recently the company made a pensioner’s dream come true when the bird team visited Valley Court retirement home in Caterham with some Harris hawks.
Rita Newman’s wish was granted after Cleankill’s Ruth Swain wrote to Managing Director Paul Bates explaining that her mum Rita had always wanted to take part in a ‘hawking’ experience, to watch them fl y and have one sit on her arm.
Ruth said: “Mum and Dad went on holiday a few years ago with the specifi c idea of taking part in such an experience, but when they got there she was turned away because there was to be a long walk across unstable ground and she was persuaded that – at her age - it was not suitable for her.
“Dad sadly passed away in July of this year without having to been able to make her dream come true, and Mum moved down from Mold in Wales to Caterham to be nearer me and one of my sisters. She celebrated her 90th birthday on November 3rd and I asked Paul if we could arrange for our Cleankill birds to visit her as part of her 90th year celebrations. He readily agreed.It could not have gone better, with Mum saying that she had waited all her life for this to happen.
“Cleankill’s expert bird handlers Alan and Richard were absolutely amazing – not just with Mum but also with all the other residents in Mum’s retirement home.”
Rita said: “Everyone was fascinated not just by the birds themselves but the evidence of meticulous training which meant they did exactly what was asked of them.
“I have wanted this experience for years and years and it exceeded all my expectations – worth waiting 90 years for. Thank you to Cleankill for fulfilling a dream for me.”
Cleankill is also supporting St. Catherine’s Hospice Christmas appeal. Commenting on the decision Paul Bates says: “St Catherine’s provides an excellent service for those reaching the end of their lives and their families. I have lost four friends to cancer this year, so I know how important supporting people is. I was also very touched to hear about what St Catherine’s wants to do for people’s last Christmas and Cleankill is delighted to be able to help by sponsoring the Christmas appeal.”
