Physical Training Instructors spread festive cheer to local care home

Physical Training Instructors (PTIs) from HMS Collingwood and HMS Sultan joined forces today to spread festive cheer to the residents of Gracewell of Fareham, as they sang Christmas carols.

The team were contacted by Dave Pepper, a former Chief Petty Officer PTI, who visits local care and residential homes in the local area at this time of year to spread the fun of Christmas to the residents. 

He contacted the PTIs to ask what was possible and was delighted to be joined by 11 today to sing carols and hand out mince pies and biscuits to the gathered guests, ‘Father Christmas’, (otherwise known as Leading PTI Chris Reeves of HMS Sultan) even made a special appearance!

Talking of their involvement today Petty Officer PTI Steve Lockton of HMS Sultan said “It’s great that we could come together to do this, we wanted to give something back to the community and this has been great fun.”

Meanwhile LPTI Dan Appleby of HMS Collingwood lead resident Marianne Davis onto the dance floor as the music played, she said “this is wonderful, it’s livened up our day!”

In an interesting twist POPT Ayeshea Lockton of HMS Collingwood introduced herself to 101 year old resident Brenda Vickery who served in the WRNS during the Second World War, she met with female sailors from HMS Collingwood to celebrate her special birthday earlier this year. http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/people/100-year-old-ex-wren-celebrates-her-birthday-with-sailors-1-7624260.

As the visit came to an end Dave thanked the Royal Navy for supporting this event and lead the PTIs, residents and carers in a rendition of ‘Auld Lang Syne’.