Care home grants 'waiter in thong' wish

WHEN a 90-year-old woman asked to be served fish and chips by a waiter wearing a thong, the care home was happy to oblige.

Her fantasy was fulfilled by staff at the Woodland House care home in St Austell, Cornwall – run by Cornwall Care, a charitable independent care provider.

A male member of staff volunteered to act as her waiter – and served the traditional dish clad only in a thong and a see-through apron.

A spokesman for Cornwall Care said the resident – who has not been named – said afterwards: "I thoroughly enjoyed my fish and chips served by the half- naked man, which was all done in good taste."

However, Tracie North, director of operations and quality for Cornwall Care, yesterday apologised in case some people were offended by the treat and said staff had "overstepped the mark" in helping fulfil the lady's request for the company's Make A Wish initiative.

She said: "The care of our clients is our number-one priority and fundamental to this is giving them choices and respecting their wishes as adults.

"The lady herself, her family and the member of staff who acted as her waiter believe that, while it may have been a bit risque, the wish was carried out with the utmost respect for all those involved and taken in the good-humoured way it was intended by residents and staff."

The wish is just one of a number granted to Cornwall Care clients, including a lady who wanted to ride on the carousel at the Royal Cornwall Show. It took four people to help her get on – and the staff of the ride were so impressed that she rode for free.