Birthday appeal nets 328 cards for 107 year old resident

When the team at Wood Grange care home in Bourne launched a card appeal to help one of their much-loved residents celebrate her 107th birthday, they had no idea what an amazing response they would receive. Ethel Smith was 107 on April 2nd and after their appeal to the community launched last month, the care home has been receiving cards for weeks filled with wonderful birthday wishes.

So many cards have been received that the team had to make smaller batches for Ethel to open just a few at a time to stop her getting too tired from reading all of the wonderful messages.  Just this week they managed to get to the last batch of cards and count up how many Ethel had received in total.

They were amazed to find that Ethel had received a grand total of 328 cards, far more than the 107 they had originally set out to get for their star resident.  All of the cards have been opened, read and are now displayed for Ethel, her family and friends to enjoy.

Anya Simmonds, Activities Coordinator at Wood Grange Care Home commented: “We’re all completely and utterly blown away by the incredible response to Ethel’s card appeal, it is absolutely overwhelming to see how many cards our birthday girl has received, all filled with heartfelt good wishes. 

“Ethel herself really cannot believe it, she is completely overwhelmed that so many people have taken the time to wish her happy birthday.  She is so grateful, she and her family cannot thank everyone enough for their very kind wishes.”

Wood Grange care home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering personalised care across its care homes and hospitals. Wood Grange provides residential, dementia and nursing care for residents from respite breaks to long term stays.