Sandiway care home's cake competition entry fulfils popular resident's dying wish

A care home is aiming to win a national Christmas cake competition for a second year running to fulfil a popular resident’s dying wish.

Last year’s success by Redwalls Nursing Home, in Sandiway, was a family triumph for Elaine Hall and her daughter Lesley Cole who, helped by other residents, crafted detailed icing sugar figures – actually representing people living in the home - to decorate the cake. 

Mrs Hall sadly passed away in August at the age of 66 but it was her wish that daughter Lesley, from Northwich, made this year’s cake in a contest open to Kingsley Healthcare homes across the UK.

The finished cake is decorated with icing sugar figures enjoying a traditional Christmas dinner, with Mrs Hall depicted at the head of the table in a wheelchair.

In a hotly contested competition, Redwalls’ cake is one of seven finalists that will be judged by the audience of Kingsley Healthcare’s Facebook page. The winner will be announced during the week leading up to Christmas Day.

Redwalls’ activities coordinator Kelly Randles said: “Elaine was very creative and helped us accomplish many successful projects at the home.

“Without her help, my transition from senior carer to activities coordinator would have been much more difficult.

“Elaine was very popular with the other residents and staff and she is very much missed. We hope that others will agree this is an amazing cake. It would be lovely to win this year again in memory of Elaine.”