A RESIDENT at Terrysprings Court in Smallwood has still not come down to earth after learning she had won a trip of a lifetime to Australia for the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

Eileen Millinchip, 85, is one of 35 residents from The ExtraCare Charitable Trust's 26 care homes and villages who will be making the trip in March after winning a pioneering challenge called Going 4 Gold.

And she is particularly thrilled because the 13-day visit down under also includes a few days in Sidney, where one of her granddaughters lives.

She said: "I'm sure we'll be able to meet up while I'm there."

More than 1,000 ExtraCare residents took part in the scheme - supported by former Olympic strongman Geoff Capes - which was designed to enthuse both the fit and the frail to tackle challenges.

Residents could select from five activity zones associated with Olympic rings, including such things as gardening, fishing, painting or simply learning to walk again after a fall.

Mrs Millinchip earned some points as gardening ''captain'' at Terrysprings Court, which has won awards in the Redditch Gardening Competition.

Other points were awarded for her trips to London and Llandudno, her visits to ExtraCare events at Althorp Park and a race meeting at Wolverhampton where, as part of a syndicate, she won money.

She also helps behind the bar and in the shop at Terrysprings Court and has done a two-mile ride on the gym's cycling machine.

The prizes will be part-funded by the charity but winners also need to attract local financial support.

Any individual, group or business wishing to support Eileen on her mission to Australia can call ExtraCare's Richard Dickson on 0772 055 3659.