'A visit from a fox was my dad's dying wish'

5 hours ago

Julia BrysonYorkshire

Colin Emmett met the fox at Bingley Park care home, where the 85-year-old is receiving end of life care

An 85-year-old man with a lifelong love of foxes was granted a final wish when he came face-to-face with one at his care home.

Colin Emmett, who has vascular dementia, is a resident at Bingley Park care home in Bradford, where he is receiving end-of-life care.

After learning of his love for the wild animals, one of his nurses contacted the charity Fox Angels and arranged for Les Hemstock to bring his seven-year-old rescue fox, Ben, to visit.

Colin's daughter, Sharon Dalby, said: "I can go tonight to visit him and he will not remember what he's had for his tea or his lunch, but if you ask him what the fox is called, he will know."

She said: "His nickname is Fox. He's got ornaments, he's got a cup that says 'Hey Foxy', so yeah, he loves them.

"The care assistant was speaking to my dad and he said he kept seeing squirrels but never any foxes.

"She said 'oh, is that your last wish, Colin?' And he said 'yes'.

"Anyway, she put it on Facebook and within three days, Les from Nottingham came all the way up and brought Ben the fox with him."

News image — The fox, called Ben, was rescued after its parents and siblings died

Sharon Dalby A fox in a pet carrier — The fox, called Ben, was rescued after its parents and siblings died

She said at the start of the visit on 19 January the fox had been very frightened, but soon settled in.

Sharon, 63, from Eccleshill, said: "He's been hand-reared since he was seven days old, when a little girl found him in a field and took him to Les.

"I think his mum and his siblings had been killed so he was really poorly. It took a lot, he says, to get him right, and now he's too tame to let go."

Sharon Dalby A woman and a man sit at a table in a restaurant, she is wearing an animal print dress and he is in a white w=shirt and black bow tie, and has a white beard. — Sharon Dalby with her dad, who is now at Bingley Park care home in Bradford

Colin lived in Clayon Heights, Bradford, before moving to Bingley Park about 10 months ago for respite care, but stayed as he enjoyed it so much.

Martin Deakin, home manager at Bingley Park, said: "The idea came about as a wish from Colin and staff quickly began planning the visit.

"Nothing is ever too much trouble here and staff have the freedom to be innovative.

"We will always support ideas like this, which are meaningful and memorable for our residents."

Writing about the experience on Facebook, Hemstock, who travelled to the home from Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, said: "Ben and I were made very welcome, and, being on his usual best behaviour, Ben allowed Colin to stroke him as we sat by Colin's bedside.

"For a moment, they locked eyes as Colin stroked Ben's neck and Colin whispered a soft word 'beautiful'.

"I couldn't agree more if I tried. Ben is a stunning animal with a beautiful heart, and he seemed to understand the situation. I'm so proud of my boy."

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