Anthony McPartlin & Declan Donnelly paid £24,000 to take 12 lonely care home residents to the beach for the first time in 30 years — but what left them speechless was who was waiting on the sand…
The trip was supposed to be a walk, but when the residents arrived on Brighton beach, they were met with rows of folding chairs and handwritten signs reading: “This is your day — tell us about your youth…”
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A Day by the Sea
In the heart of Newcastle upon Tyne, Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, better known as Ant and Dec, had built a legacy of spreading joy through their television shows and charitable endeavors. In the summer of 2025, they turned their attention to a group of 12 residents at Willow Care Home, all in their late 70s and 80s, who hadn’t seen the sea in over 30 years. Many were widowed, some estranged from family, and others simply forgotten by the world outside. Ant and Dec, moved by their stories during a previous visit, decided to change that. They raised £24,000 to fund a special day trip to Brighton beach, a place many residents remembered fondly from their youth.
The planning was meticulous. The duo worked with local charities to arrange a comfortable coach, medical support, and a team of volunteers to ensure the residents’ safety and comfort. Ant and Dec personally funded beach wheelchairs for those with mobility issues, ensuring everyone could feel the sand beneath their feet. The residents, including Elsie, a sprightly 79-year-old who once danced on Brighton Pier, and Tom, an 84-year-old former sailor, buzzed with excitement as they boarded the coach, their faces lit with anticipation.
The journey was filled with laughter, as Ant and Dec joined the group, cracking jokes and leading sing-alongs of old seaside tunes like “Oh, I Do Like to Be Beside the Seaside.” They listened to the residents’ stories—Elsie’s tales of jiving in the 1960s, Tom’s memories of stormy nights at sea, and others’ wistful recollections of family holidays. The duo promised a simple day of walks along the shore, ice cream, and fish and chips, but they had a secret they hadn’t shared.
When the coach arrived at Brighton beach, the residents were greeted by an unexpected sight. Rows of folding chairs lined the sand, each with a handwritten sign that read, “This is your day—tell us about your youth.” A crowd of people—hundreds strong—stood waiting, holding balloons and banners. The residents froze, puzzled, until Ant and Dec stepped forward, grinning. “We thought you deserved more than just a walk,” Dec said. “These people are here for you.”
What left the residents speechless was who was waiting on the sand. Ant and Dec had spent weeks tracking down long-lost relatives, old friends, and even childhood sweethearts of the 12 residents, using social media appeals and local archives. For Elsie, it was her estranged daughter, Sarah, who had traveled from Scotland after years of silence, tears in her eyes as she held out a photo of them together at Brighton Pier decades ago. For Tom, it was his old navy mate, Bill, now 86, who had sailed with him in the 1960s and brought along a model ship they’d once built together. Others found grandchildren they hadn’t seen in years, former neighbors, and even a woman who had been Elsie’s dance partner in her youth.
The crowd wasn’t just family and friends. Ant and Dec had invited local schoolchildren, community groups, and Brighton residents who’d heard about the trip and wanted to listen to the elders’ stories. Each chair was a station where a resident could sit, share tales of their youth, and be celebrated. Volunteers recorded the stories, creating an oral history archive to be preserved at the care home. The beach came alive with laughter, tears, and the clink of teacups as strangers became friends, united by the residents’ memories.
Elsie, holding Sarah’s hand, recounted her dancing days, her voice trembling as she described twirling under the pier’s lights. Tom, with Bill by his side, shared tales of stormy seas, his eyes sparkling as schoolchildren gasped. Others spoke of lost loves, wartime resilience, and seaside holidays that shaped their lives. The crowd listened, spellbound, as the residents’ stories painted a vivid picture of a bygone era.
Ant and Dec moved among the group, their usual banter replaced by quiet awe. “We thought we were just giving them a day out,” Ant whispered to Dec. “But look at this—it’s a family reunion, a history lesson, a celebration.” Dec nodded, wiping his eyes. “They’re not just residents. They’re legends.”
As the sun set, the group gathered for a fish and chips supper on the beach, with the sound of waves and seagulls as their backdrop. The residents, many in tears, thanked Ant and Dec for a day they’d never forget. Elsie hugged Sarah tightly, whispering, “I thought I’d lost you forever.” Tom, clutching his model ship, said to Bill, “This is better than any voyage we took.”
The day ended with a promise from Ant and Dec: the stories recorded would be shared with schools and libraries, ensuring the residents’ legacies lived on. The duo also announced that leftover funds would support more trips for care home residents across the UK, sparking hope for others. As the coach pulled away, the residents waved to the crowd, their faces glowing with a renewed sense of purpose.
The story of Brighton beach spread, inspiring communities to reconnect with their elders and listen to their stories. For Ant and Dec, it was a reminder that their greatest gift wasn’t fame—it was the ability to bring people together, turning a simple walk into a day of love, memory, and connection.