A Wiltshire care home resident has fulfilled a lifelong dream of riding in a horse-drawn carriage following a public appeal on local social media for help.

Doris Smith, 96, who lives at The Wingfield Care Home in Trowbridge, had always wanted since childhood to ride in a horse-drawn carriage, and staff were determined to make her wish become a reality.

They proved the old adage, it’s never too late, after TitaniaWheeler, The Wingfield’s activities coordinator, put out an appeal on local social media to see if anyone could help.

Titania said: "A lovely local lady called Lubin, who lives with her husband on a farm in Edington responded to the appeal, and on Monday Doris’s dream came true."

Wiltshire Times: Doris Smith with Tracey and Michaela fulfilling her lifelong dream to ride in a horse-drawn carriage.Doris Smith with Tracey and Michaela fulfilling her lifelong dream to ride in a horse-drawn carriage. (Image: Barchester)

Doris went on her ride with team members Tracey and Michaela from Housecroft Farm, stopping only for a coffee and doughnut at the Three Daggers pub in Edingtion before embarking on their journey! 

They met the ponies, mother and daughter, Luna and Rosalie, who gently pulled the carriage for Doris on her scenic ride around the area.

Doris, who moved to The Wingfield earlier this year, said: “I was on the verge of tears. I couldn’t stop smiling, the ride was wonderful and such beautiful scenery. 

“It is such an amazing feeling to know that such a loving group of people not only from the home but also the community care so much about me that they helped me to live out a dream.”

Wiltshire Times: Doris stopped at the Three Daggers pub in Edington for a coffee and a doughnut. Doris stopped at the Three Daggers pub in Edington for a coffee and a doughnut. (Image: Barchester)

Ansitha Sasi, general manager at The Wingfield, said: “We believe that every moment is worth cherishing.  We want everyone we care for to know how important they are to us here at The Wingfield.

“It is testament to the hard work and dedication of the team here in making our residents’ dreams come true.  It was wonderful to see how happy Doris was – and the staff loved being a part of this as well.”

The Wingfield care home in Wingfield Road, Trowbridge, is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers.

The company provides residential, nursing and dementia care from respite care to long-term stays and is committed to delivering personalised care across its care homes and hospitals.