Dedicated Anne’s trip of a lifetime

A KIND-HEARTED volunteer who has dedicated her time to the elderly is getting the holiday of a lifetime in New York after appearing on national TV.

Anne Evans became a member of Age UK Oldham’s “Adopt a Friend” service in March. Her daughter Louise, who adopted three children, took her mum along to the sessions to give advice on becoming grandparents to adopted children — and Anne decided she wanted to do more.

After signing up for Oldham’s befriending service — the biggest in the country — she has made a big impact.

To thank her, members of Age UK decided Anne, of Thornham, deserved something special.

When the staff behind “Text Santa”, ITV1’s annual Christmas extravaganza, got in touch with Age UK asking for details of people who have made a special contribution to the organisation, they knew there was only one name to pass on.

Production staff worked in secrecy, duping Anne and her closest pal from the befriending service, Phoebe, into believing they were to appear on the Jeremy Kyle Show, representing the charity.

Anne had the shock of her life when host Jeremy congratulated her on the work... and gave Anne and her friend tickets for a trip to New York — with $1,000 spending money too!

Anne (66) said: “I knew we were going on Jeremy Kyle’s surprises show and my God, did I get one! I was totally blown away. I still can’t believe it.

“I don’t know why they chose me; there are people out there who’ve been doing it much longer than I have.

“But I really do enjoy the befriending service. If I could give more time, I would.”