Zippy the scarecrow wins funds for care home residents

A SCARECROW representing the North East’s industrial heritage has won Hebburn care home, Tyne-and-Wear residents over a hundred pounds.

Raymond Roper, who lives at Willowdene Care Home, came up with the winning theme after discussing his former career as a painter on the Tyne shipyards.

The home’s scarecrow, named Zippy, was dressed as a miner, wearing a helmet and headtorch, as well as carrying a canary and a lamp.

Competition organisers the Hill Care Group, which operates care homes across the north, awarded the home £125.

Christine Chandler, activities coordinator at Willowdene Care Home, on Victoria Road West, said: “I was talking with the residents about a theme for the scarecrow and Raymond began to talk about the shipyards and the mines and what it was like for the men who worked there.

“He worked in the shipyards on the Tyne as a painter and when he and I were talking about the theme he came up with the ideas around the canary in the cage and miner’s helmet.

“The North East used to be famous for heavy industry, such as ship building, steel works and coal mining, so we wanted a scarecrow to represent our residents’ memories of this.”

The prize will add to the residents’ fund, which contributes towards activities and trips for those living at the care home.