A care home worker who looked after vulnerable residents throughout the Coronavirus pandemic, has been rewarded for her dedication and unwavering care for others by winning a “life changing” cash prize in a local radio competition.

Amy Donaldson (23), a care assistant at Balhousie Monkbarns care home in Arbroath, picked up a call from Radio Tay’s Cash Register where she correctly answered the amount of money the competition had accumulate – £61,000.

Amy was “gobsmacked” to have won the money, having entered the radio competition many times in the past. She celebrated her win with her colleagues and residents at the home, who were all delighted for her. She said:

“I enter Radio Tay’s Cash Register now and again and decided to go for it when I saw the jackpot was particularly big before Christmas. I never thought in a million years I would win! This year has been so hard for many of us and this has just given me the most amazing lift. It’s so exciting!”

An Arbroath local and popular carer at the residential home, Amy’s sister said her windfall was “good karma”. Before entering the competition, Amy had been making special gift bags for all the residents at Monkbarns, including hand-wrapped chocolates, homemade scarves and ‘snow soup’ marshmallows, all in her own time. She wanted to give the residents a boost as they haven’t been able to see loved ones as easily during the festive season.

After taking advice from her family, Amy has decided to spend her winnings wisely. She said:

“I’m going to use the money to help buy my first home. I’m also hoping to buy a car as well. This money really is going to change my life and I can’t quite believe it. I’m going to keep going to work though as normal. I love my job and spending time with our residents, listening to their stories. They’re like extended family, especially this year when they haven’t been able to see their own families.”

Sarah-Jane Patterson, Home Manager at Balhousie Monkbarns Care Home, added:

“Everyone at Monkbarns is just thrilled for Amy. She’s been so kind to our residents making gifts for them and looking after them so well. She thoroughly deserves this prize having been so selfless this year. Who better to win big like this than one of our wonderful, as we call them at Balhousie, Everyday Heroes.”