Residents, staff and guests at Meridian Healthcare’s Fazakerley House Care Centre in Prescot were truly tickled to celebrate the completion of a 15 bedroom extension to the home officially opened on Wednesday 16th April by comedy legend Ken Dodd OBE.

Popular Fazakerley House has extended its first class facilities by 15 new bedrooms each featuring en suite shower rooms. Also added to the new wing is a comfortable lounge and dining area which due to popular vote resident Betty Bailey suggested it be named, ‘The Engel Suite’ in honour of local Reverend and friend Jeff Engel who has devoted his time and love to the staff and residents at Fazakerley House for over 16 years.

Care Centre Manager Catherine Atkinson commented: ‘We have all had a lovely day, the extension looks fabulous and compliments the rest of the home. We are honoured to have welcomed Ken Dodd to conduct the opening ceremony, he has a lot of fans in Fazakerley House and the staff and residents have been looking forward to meeting him for ages, the buzz around here this morning before his arrival was phenomenal, and in true form he didn’t disappoint! He had us all in stitches with his sharp wit and outrageous stories, he is so friendly and a true gentleman. I would like to say a big thank you to Ken for taking the time to celebrate with us, he has put a smile on a lot of faces today and it will be a day that we will all remember for a long time to come. I would also like to thank Rev Jeff Engel for his continuing friendship and devotion over the years to Fazakerley House he knows he is always welcome here anytime, he is another gentleman who creates a lot of smiles and laughter whenever he visits.’

If you would like further information on Fazakerley House please contact Catherine Atkinson on 0151 289 9203.

Ends.
• Photographs show: inset, Ken Dodd OBE & Catherine Atkinson (Fazakerley House Care Centre Manager) counting down to the official opening.

• Below 1: Left to right: Meridian Healthcare MD Alan Firth, Ken Dodd OBE, Care Centre Manager Catherine Atkinson, Resident Betty Bailey, Rev Jeff Engel.

• Below 2: Ken Dodd OBE with the team at Fazakerley House.

Notes:
• Meridian Healthcare own 25 Care Centres throughout the North of England.

• Website: www.meridiancare.co.uk

For further information please contact: Tessa Matthews, Meridian Healthcare, 0161 368 9099 tmatthews@meridiancare.co.uk