Sweet treats for staff and residents at five Sidmouth care homes

Staff and residents at five Sidmouth care homes are tucking into sweet treats thanks to the town's community-spirited Roly's Fudge Pantry.

Business partners Carole Hill and Claire Bleach decided to donate a large quantity of their delicious delights currently languishing on the shop's shelves while the business is closed during lockdown.

Carole told Sidmouth Nub News: "We have lots of fudge that we can't do anything with and decided to give it away to those who deserve it in the community.

"I made up more than 200 boxes and bags and delivered them to Malden House, Sidmouth Nursing Home, Holmesley Care Home, Abbeyfield Court and Culver House.

"Staff from carers to cleaners are working flat out in really difficult conditions and the residents haven't seen their families and friends for weeks.

"We thought they deserved a bit of a treat and it seemed like the right thing to do."

The gifts have been gratefully received and Agnieszka Orlowska, Registered Manager of Malden House, said: "We are really grateful to Roly's Fudge Pantry for giving us these wonderful boxes of fudge, which everybody at Malden House thoroughly enjoyed.

"We have been overwhelmed by the kindness of local people towards our residents and staff during this very difficult time.

"One of our residents Jim remembers walking pass the shop window seeing the fudge being made.

"Tracy, our activities coordinator, said that the smell of fudge always reminds her of making fudge with her mum when she was younger and she remembers waiting eagerly for it to be ready, so this treat also brought lots of very special memories for residents and staff."

Carole and Claire are planning to make more fudge deliveries to care homes in the Sidmouth area in the near future.