Care home resident swims again to fulfil dream

Iris Moreton said she used to swim between Blakeney Point and Blakeney Quay as a schoolgirl

A care home resident has fulfilled her wish of swimming again, with the help of some BBC radio journalists.

Iris Moreton, 86, originally from Blakeney, Norfolk, lives at Redlands House Care Home in Norwich.

Each resident is encouraged to make a wish, which has included trips to the pub, going to bingo and having singers and dancers come to the home.

She used to swim in the sea at Blakeney as a schoolgirl and said her time in the pool had been lovely.

"You don't forget. I think now this will be the last time I will do this," she said.

Mary Parkin, who oversees activities at the home, said her job was "one of the best" ever.

"I absolutely love it, seeing their faces light up.

"It's very emotional to see her have her dream all these years later. My residents mean the most to me and making them happy is my job."

Five BBC Radio Norfolk journalists have been attempting to swim 24 miles (38km) each for Children in Need

Care home manager Laura Ward said it was important for the residents to have dreams.

"I believe it doesn't matter how old you are, people have goals and aspirations.

"We just have so much fun. For me life is for living and we are the privileged ones looking after them."

Ms Moreton was taken to David Lloyd's swimming pool in Norwich, where a group of five BBC Radio Norfolk journalists, including presenter Chris Goreham, were taking part in the Big Swim for Children in Need.

The swimmers were attempting to cover 24 miles (39km) each, which is about 368 lengths of Norwich City's Carrow Road football stadium.

Teams from BBC radio stations across the UK have been trying to achieve a total of 64,000 lengths of a 25m (82ft) pool during the week-long challenge.