Residents of Easter Lily Nursing Home were delighted to receive essential self-care items donated by Hamilton Parish Council.

Members of the council made the donation of toiletries, including deodorants, razors, creams, lotions, toothbrushes and toothpaste at a small ceremony yesterday at the home.

A fruit hamper was also presented to the staff of the home to show appreciation for their hard work.

Esme Williams, a member of the council, said during the presentation: “Easter Lily is one of Hamilton Parish Council’s projects, so we decided to purchase essential necessary items you said the residents would need.

“This fruit basket is going to be given to the staff because we know that you do a great job in caring for all the residents with love and care, so we want to thank you for what you are doing for the residents.“

Mary Turner, the nursing director at Easter Lily, said: “We are very appreciative of the Hamilton Parish Council. These items will be used widely by our residents.

“We have patients who are homeless here, and they haven’t got the relatives, so it’s wonderful that they can get these gifts.

“The Government can’t do everything, they are doing a lot as it is, so we are very grateful.”

Austin Hassell, a resident of the home, added: “I think it’s pretty good, and I guess it couldn’t have come at a better time.”

Ms Williams said the decision to donate to the home was made at the end of last year at a strategic planning meeting. She contacted the home, which houses eight women and four men, to ask what they needed.

Ms Williams said: “Ms Turner gave me a list of essential items that would be most beneficial to the residents. I contacted AM Bulk, and the gentleman who works there agreed to give us a discount, and helped us to pull all the items together.

“We were well within our budget of $500, and so we will be making a further donation to the home when they need it later in the year.

“Easter Lily is an absolutely beautiful facility. I used to walk past it as a child and admire it.

“It is all about giving back and helping others.”

Ms Williams, who is a member of the Government’s Disability Advisory Council, said she attended a meeting to discuss the National Seniors Strategy the night before she won the raffle prize of a fruit hamper.

She added: “When I won that I said, ‘That’s not for Esme, that’s for the staff of the rest home.’ I’m a believer, and I believe the Lord set that up for me.”