Edinburgh woman made 860-mile round-trip to spend Covid-safe half an hour with mum on her 90th birthday

An Edinburgh woman who made an 860-mile round-trip to wish her mum a happy 90th birthday in a Dorset care home has thanked them for hosting the Covid-safe half-hour visit.

Sarah Burnett travelled from Edinburgh to Colten Care’s Poundbury home, Castle View, to see Liz Thompson before the latest pandemic restrictions in Scotland and England.

Sarah Burnett travelled travelled from Edinburgh to Colten Care’s Poundbury home in Castle View, to see her mum Liz Thompson before the latest pandemic restrictions.

It was the first time that the two had been together since Christmas last year.

Speaking to The Carer, Sarah said: “The staff at Castle View have been genuinely caring all the way through lockdown and were so lovely about helping to make this happen. I can’t thank them enough.

“Before Covid I would come down from Edinburgh four times a year and my brothers would also visit. She probably saw one of us at least once a month on average. The last time I saw her was last Christmas

“I had been planning to come down in the spring but couldn’t because of lockdown. Since then our contact has mainly been on the phone, with occasional WhatsApp video.

“Back in March we thought Covid would be over quickly but when it got towards her 90th birthday, realistically I was the only one of the family who could go and see her.

“She was surprised when I said I would be coming. I think she had given up on her birthday.”

The visit took place in Liz’s bedroom with physical distancing and PPE.

All of the Colton Care homes operate a booking system for half-hour family visits.

Sarah’s trip involved flying from Edinburgh to Bristol, a train from there to Dorchester, and then local bus travel to and from her brother’s flat in Bridport where she stayed overnight before arriving at Castle View for the afternoon visit.

Liz said: “I had decided not to make a fuss about my 90th and had assumed no-one was coming so it was great to see Sarah. It was a real surprise when she told me she was going to make the trip. She came a long way for such a short time.”

Sarah, who has lived in Edinburgh for 20 years and works as a freelance copywriter, added that she would be unsure about making the trip again now with the national restrictions in place.

She added: “I would be more wary about it, even if it was permissible. I don’t think I would actually go ahead in case the plane or train end up being cancelled. Back when I originally booked it people were still travelling and it was all fine to go.”

Sue Goodwin, companionship team member at Castle View, said: “The saying goes that you should keep the company of those who would travel hours to spend only one with you. This was certainly the case for Liz and Sarah.

“It was a privilege to host Sarah’s visit from the other end of the country and enable the pair of them to see each other again in safety and with joy and laughter. It was such a special occasion.”

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