An appeal for cards to help a Coningsby woman celebrate her 102nd birthday resulted in her being inundated from around the world.

The lifestyle team at Toray Pines care home on School Lane launched a campaign for Gwen Chapman on Facebook, aiming for 102 cards to mark her milestone birthday.

But the response was remarkable as more than 400 cards arrived from not only across the UK but also from as far afield as the USA and Australia, while local schools and community groups also joined in.

Children from Coningsby St Michael's Church Of England Primary School delivered 50 cards for Gwen, while the local Beavers and Rainbows groups also sent cards to help make her birthday extra special.

Happy Gwen Chapman surrounded by hundreds of cards and well wishes after a care home appeal to help her celebrate her 102nd birthday.

placeholder image — Happy Gwen Chapman surrounded by hundreds of cards and well wishes after a care home appeal to help her celebrate her 102nd birthday.

With so many cards sent, Gwen had to receive help from fellow care home residents to open them on her big day.

She said: “I just don’t know what to say! Thankyou very much to everyone who sent a card.”

The team at Toray Pines, which is run by Tanglewood Care Homes, also organised a birthday party for Gwen, attended by fellow residents, friends and family.

Sophie Lamming, lifestyle lead at Toray Pines, said, "We knew Gwen's 102nd birthday was something special, but we never imagined the response would be quite like this.

Gwen Chapman celebrating her 102nd birthday at the Toray Pines care home in Coningsby.

“To have more than 400 cards arrive from people all over the world, as well as so many wonderful messages from our local community, has been incredible. Gwen was completely overwhelmed by everyone's kindness.”

Gwen was born in Kirkby on Bain and moved to Hagworthingham when she was seven. In 1948, after marrying her husband, Eric, she moved to Woodhall Spa, where she lived for more than 75 years before moving to Toray Pines in March 2025.

Gwen and Eric had four children — Betty, John, David and Norman – and Gwen is now a proud mum, grandmother and great-grandmother, with nine grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Gwen grew up working on her father's farm, where the family had prisoners of war working alongside them, helping to pick vegetables. Remembering those days, she said: "I had to be very brave."

Some of the cards sent by children at Coningsby St Michael's Primary School.

After leaving the farm, Gwen worked as a housekeeper at The Dower House Hotel in Woodhall Spa, as well as at the Golf Hotel in Woodhall Spa. Later in life, she became a stay-at-home mum, raising her four children.

When asked what she believes has been the secret to reaching 102, her answer was: "Working hard on the farm and good food – plus a cup of tea and chocolate!"

Gwen is rarely without some chocolate in the bag attached to her walker, which she keeps there for what she describes as "emergencies"!

When asked what advice she would give to her younger self, she said: "To have more patience."

Despite reaching such an amazing age, Gwen still has a few things on her bucket-list.

One of her wishes during her 102nd year is to return to The Dower House for afternoon tea to revisit the place where she once worked. The team at Toray Pines is hoping to help make that wish come true.