A WIDNES social care charity has won national recognition for its pioneering community work.

Community Integrated Care (CIC) has received acclaim for two of its Halton projects at the National Dementia Care Awards.

A unique partnership with Widnes Vikings has been shortlisted in the best dementia innovation category.

Legendary former players and community coaches visit residents at St Luke's specialist dementia care home in Runcorn and St Patrick's in Runcorn for activity and reminiscence sessions.

The Chemics Café, a free monthly dementia café helps people living with dementia remember their Vikings experiences.

Residents at the charity’s care homes have enjoyed attending Widnes Vikings matches and sharing celebration events with players.

Rugby supporters have also backed the partnership by donating hundreds of Viking items to stimulate nostalgic reminiscence sessions.

Runcorn grandad John Timms has also been recognised for his incredible support of St Luke’s care home by being shortlisted in the best relative contribution category.

John has been a tireless advocate for the CIC home which supported his late wife Marian.

Every week he helps staff and spends time with residents.

The 75-year-old took on an inspiring fundraising challenge – walking 100 miles from Birmingham to Runcorn for the home.

John, with son Dave, 50, and friend Derek Gates, 64, raised more than £3000 to create new accessible gardens.

John Hughes, head of communications and marketing for Community Integrated Care, said: “We’re incredibly proud of our partnership with Widnes Vikings and to have the support of amazing people like John Timms.”

Ricard Munson, community integrated director at Widnes Vikings, said: “It has been brilliant to see the reaction of the staff and the people they support in the different dementia initiatives we have delivered across the year.

“I must thank all Vikings fans who responded to our recent call to action for donations of Vikings memorabilia from yesteryear. I have no doubt they added value to the reminiscence experience.”