A FAMILY have made a heartfelt donation to a Launceston-based care home for the care they provided.

The family of former resident Annette Simonsen have thanked Kernow House care home for the wonderful care she received at the home, with the donation of a beautiful hardwood bench and cherry tree which are both welcome additions to the home’s sensory garden.   

A loving mother and grandmother, Annette had Huntington’s disease and lived at Kernow House for more than 20 years from 2001 until she passed away earlier this year.  

Despite living in Kent, her family would visit her every month and would spend their holidays and Christmases with her, so they got to know everyone at the home well and very much enjoyed time at Kernow House as a family.  

When Annette passed away, the family wanted to do something to thank the staff for the immense care she had received, and it was decided that gifting a bench and cherry tree in her name would be fitting, as being outdoors was one of her favourite places.

Annette’s daughter, Yasmin Parsons, said: “We cannot thank everyone at Kernow House enough for the wonderful care they took of mum for so many years, she was very happy here and we wanted to do something to show our gratitude to the staff and to the other residents who we have got to know so well over the years.  

“It is lovely to be able to add to the beautiful garden and to have somewhere to come and remember mum in years to come.  

“We have so many precious memories of time spent here, Kernow House is such a special place for the whole family.”

Leigh Stanley, general manager at Kernow House, said: “We very much miss dear Annette, she was with us for so many years, so it is wonderful for the staff and residents to have somewhere to sit and remember her.  

“We are very grateful to Yasmin and her lovely family for their donation to our garden, it feels very fitting to have a special place for us all to remember Annette fondly.”