Thistle cheer up residents

Geelong College students Maddy Mills and Audrey Morgan. (Rebecca Hosking) 216116_02

By Luke Voogt

Dozens of colourful bouquets bloomed in a Newtown aged care home after two year 12 students raised $700 for flowers for 80 elderly residents.

“It was a lot of flowers,” Geelong College student Maddy Mills said after making the surprise delivery on Tuesday.

She and classmate Audrey Morgan raised the money to remind the Brentwood Aged Care residents that people were thinking of them amid COVID-19.

“They’re probably feeling really isolated,” Audrey said.

“We really wanted to bring a bit of cheer to the elderly and we thought this was the safest way.”

They purchased the flowers from Jacinta’s Flower Studio in East Geelong to support a local small business during the pandemic.

“It’s just so amazing to see that our peers are getting behind the idea and supporting their community,” Maddy said.

The home’s lifestyle co-ordinator Dee Wilson said the delivery was “a lovely gesture by the girls”.

“The residents were very surprised. Some had some tears in their eyes. They really appreciated the sentiment.”