Barchester's Carers Sing Their Way to Christmas No.1!

Barchester's Carers Sing Their Way to Christmas No.1!

LONDON, December 22, 2011/PRNewswire/ --

- With Photo

Four "calling bird" carers from a North Devon Barchester care centre could be
celebrating the coveted Christmas number one this year if their single, 'Wherever you
are,' released as part of the Military Wives' Choir, continues to outflank the X Factor
effort.

The four choir members that work at the Tyspane care centre in Braunton are: Sarah
Wall, Hayley Flood, Carly Pearce and Kirsty Cunningham. They all have husbands based at
Chivenor Royal Marine Base and joined the choir to raise awareness of the courage of
British service men and women deployed in dangerous war zones.

Sarah Wall, one of the four carers, said: "Never in a million years did I think we'd
be in the running for a Christmas number one. It's just been such a fantastic experience
for everyone involved.

"I'm working this Christmas so it will be nail-biting for us all when the charts are
announced on Christmas Day, just before the Queen's speech. The residents have really
engaged with our journey and it will be the best present ever if we top the chart and
raise as much money as we can for the Royal British Legion and SSAFA Forces Help."

The Military Wives' Choir visited Tyspane earlier this month after seeing resident Mrs
Helen Berry moved to tears in the crowd when they performed in the local town. They
dedicated the song to Mrs Berry as she captured the spirit of their heartfelt performance.

Christmas is always an exciting time at Tyspane care centre but it has been made
doubly special this year with the chance of grasping a Christmas number one. The residents
have already embarked on a full programme of festive activities including carol singing,
decoration making and perhaps there might even be a visit from the man himself. Mrs Berry
who has lived at the home for four years, said: "I'm really looking forward to Christmas
dinner with all the trimmings and the staff at Tyspane make it a really special day for
us. This year we have the added excitement of the countdown to the announcement of the
Christmas Number one."

There has also been huge support from the rest of the company with its 15,000-strong
staff getting behind the caring Christmas number one. Mike Parsons, Founder and Chief
Executive at Barchester has encouraged staff from across more than 200 of its care homes,
to support the four carers.

Mike said: "The charities they support are tremendous, the work their loved ones do
overseas is outstanding and the care our colleagues give at Tyspane care centre makes us
all proud."

More about the carers

- Sarah Wall - Care Assistant at Tyspane since September 2010.
Sarah has two children aged 13 and 6 with her husband, Mark Wall, Corporal, MPGS
(Military Police). Sarah will be in the home on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
- Hayley Flood - Care Assistant at Tyspane since November 2009.
Hayley has three children aged 16, 13 and 6. Her husband is Jim Flood, Staff Sergeant,
Royal Engineer, deployed to Afghanistan in March 2011 and returned in September 2011.
Hayley is working Boxing Day.
- Carly Pearce - Care Assistant at Tyspane since November 2009. Carly has two
children aged 10 and 6. Her husband is Darren Pearce, Royal Navy Chief Petty Officer
(Medic) and served in Afghanistan in 2009. Carly is working Boxing Day.
- Kirsty Cunningham - Care Assistant at Tyspane since September 2009. Kirsty
Cunningham has two children aged 12 and 6. Her husband is Paul Cunningham, Rank of
Sergeant. He served in Afghanistan in 2008 and 2011. Kirsty is on annual leave and
spending Christmas in Scotland.

The girls, as part of the Military Wives choir, have already appeared on Strictly Come
Dancing, Saturday Morning Kitchen and have performed at The Royal Albert Hall and at
Number 10. On Monday night they sang at The Sun's Military Awards with Little Mix to a
crowd of royalty, celebrities and courageous service men and women at London's Imperial
War Museum.

For more information, please visit http://www.barchester.com

A picture accompanying this release is available through the PA Photowire. It can be
downloaded from http://www.pa-mediapoint.press.net or viewed at
http://www.mediapoint.press.net or http://www.prnewswire.co.uk.

Source: Barchester Healthcare

For more information please contact Aisling Kearney or Hayley Senior on +44(0)20-352-2224 / +44(0)7824-898677 or email Aisling.Kearney@barcheter.com / Hayley.Senior@barchester.com

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