VR headset gives care home Terriers fan chance to see his beloved team

A LIFELONG supporter of Huddersfield Town A.F.C. was delighted to see his beloved team play again – despite not being able to attend a game.

Terry Hickson, 78, was given a virtual front row seat to watch The Terriers take on Fulham FC in 2017 – including a 360-degree view of the match.

The resident at Aden View Care Home, on Perseverance Street, Primrose Hill, Huddersfield, was one of several to take part in virtual reality experiences at the home.

While others chose to travel the world – from Paris, France, to Reykjavík, Iceland – Terry wanted to see Kirklees Stadium, where he has attended matches since the age of five.

Using a VR headset, Terry was taken on a behind the scenes tour, before getting a pitch-side seat to take in the matchday atmosphere.

He said: “I loved being able to experience a football match again, particularly because it was a Huddersfield Town match.

“I started to watch and support The Terriers when I was about five. I enjoy watching their matches so much I can’t pick a favourite. There are too many qualities to each one. It’s too hard to choose.

“The VR experience was unreal and fantastic. I can’t wait to take my grandson, Billy, to a proper match when we’re allowed again. I can’t forget to buy the sweets for him either.”

Among Aden View Care Home’s other residents to enjoy the VR experiences was Frank Jackson, 93, who chose to revisit his lifelong love of sailing.

Frank, who swam every morning up until the age of 88, owned two canal boats over his 40 years travelling England’s waterways, sailing through Dewsbury, York, and Blackpool.

He also loved to canoe along The Thames, hired boats at Windermere and sailed on the Lakes, and taught his children how to swim and sail.

Returning to the water, albeit virtually, Frank said: “I was amazed that I was able to feel like I was sailing again. I used to sail avidly as a hobby in my earlier years.

“Blackpool was my favourite canal and I was always my dream to buy a boat and sail it in Blackpool.”

Douglas Crombie, 86, used the VR headset to return to his hometown Edinburgh and then to instantly transport himself to Iceland, where he was able to see geysers and the Northern Lights.

Fellow resident James “Billy” Gill, 89, decided on a walking tour around Paris, able to feel freedom from his Zimmer frame. He said: “It was amazing to feel like I was walking again without a frame. The views were fantastic.”

Lauren Shipman, activities coordinator at Aden View Care Home, said: “The virtual reality headset was a lot of fun for residents. But it also benefitted the residents is so many more ways than we can see.

“We’re all look forward to using the headset again and seeing where the residents want to go next.”