A care home resident from the Isle of Wight received over 2,300 birthday cards from around the world, including 1 from an Island Echo reader all the way from Canada.
Joan – a resident of Blackwater Mill Residential Home – celebrated her 105th birthday on Saturday (17th September) with wishes and gifts sent to her from places as far away as Australia.
On her special day, Joan was treated to an ice cream from a visiting ice cream van, as well as a call from Wight Bikes and Trikes, entertainers, and special attention from her Golden Retriever Larry.
Around 2,300 cards were sent to mark her big day — from all over the world – including USA, Canada, Australia, Germany, Spain, Italy, France, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway and even the Netherlands.
As previously reported by Island Echo an appeal was launched to see if Joan could receive 105 cards to mark her birthday but no one could have imagined the response would be this large.
Official counts of the cards have taken the total to 2,333, yet there are still some cards to be opened so that total is expected to rise.
A spokesperson from Blackwater Mill has said:
“Some of the messages were so beautiful I may have shed a tear on more than 1 occasion! I spent my evenings at work until 7.30 stapling them to strips of wallpaper to display them. I have added some photos, so you have an idea of the mammoth task”
Article continues below this advertisement “It was just so heart-warming, so many people from all around the world took the time out to send Joan a card or a gift or a message. It took us all by surprise, and really shows you just how wonderful people can be. It has all been just amazing.”
Below is a picture of a cake made for Joan by local Island cakebaker Lucy White.
Great gesture from everyone to make Joan’s day special, even Larry was there!
Wonderful. 🙂 More stories like this please.
Wow, this lady has lived through 5 monarchs!! Amazing and I bet she has many tales to tell.
Lots of cards from all over the world – and even The Netherlands . Wow !!!
Absolutely amazing!!! We sent a card and are so happy we contributed,albeit in a very small way to make this lovely ladies 105th birthday one to remember!!! Very well done to all staff at Blackwater mill!!