Corrie’s Kylie joins the party

On Friday, the Hollybank Trust officially opened its new accommodation blocks with a helping hand from Coronation Street star Paula Lane.

The Meadows will be home to 24 adults and six children with complex disabilities who need round-the-clock care.

Welcoming 100 invited guests, chair of trustees John Hall said: “Hollybank is now a world leading organisation for the care of profoundly disabled people. The Meadows is an example of our long term project of caring for life.”

He said the trust should be very proud to complete the privately-funded project at a time of austerity.

“At the heart of this have been our superb fundraising team,” he said. “However, without the people who made the bricks and mortar happen we wouldn’t be here today.”

He was joined for the official opening by Corrie star Paula, trust chief executive Pam King and future Meadows resident Gemma Toft, who accepted a key to the buildings and cut the ribbon.

Paula, who plays Kylie Platt in the ITV soap, said: “It’s my pleasure to be here today. I hope the trust continues to run as a centre of excellence and that residents will enjoy the facilities.

“Even just from the initial walk round you can feel so much love in the place. It just looks fantastic.”

The Meadows, at Far Common Road, Mirfield, is a group of three eco-friendly buildings specially designed to meet the needs of the residents who have helped to choose the decor.Each block has a large lounge and dining area, asssited bathroom, kitchen and laundry room.