A TOP rugby player opened a Widnes Vikings themed room at a care home.

Alex Gerrard and colleagues from the club visited Glenwood Care Home on Liverpool Road to meet residents.

Glenwood is home to eight people who live with complex learning disabilities and also offers short-term respite care for five people.

It is run by Widnes-based social care charity Community Integrated Care which has teamed up with the Vikings to promote health, wellbeing, happiness and inclusion for the people they support.

Many of the residents and their support staff are dedicated Vikings fans and decided to celebrate their shared passion for the team as part of a major makeover.

Karen Hayes, service leader for Glenwood, said: “We were thrilled that Alex Gerrard and Widnes Vikings came down to help celebrate our new refurbishment.

“Our Vikings themed room is a stunning space that puts big smiles on the faces of the people we support and our colleagues who love the club.”

Glenwood residents often go to Widnes Vikings games and participate in weekly sports and activity sessions with players.

Rugby legends Frank Myler, Kurt Sorensen and Martin Offiah, Vikings memorabilia and the current team now have pride of place on the wall.

Widnes Vikings player Alex Gerrard said: “The room looks stunning and shows how much the club means to the community.

“It's always great to meet the fans and see how passionate they are. “The people who live here come and support me and the team all the time so it's great that I could come here today to support them in return.”

Richard Munson, community integrated director at Widnes Vikings, said: “Being here for the first time today took my breath away, seeing the heritage of the club showcased on the walls at Glenwood.

“We are proud to have an important role in the community.”