A Lincolnshire care home asked for 102 cards for Gwen’s 102nd birthday, and more than 400 came from around the world

The lifestyle team at Toray Pines care home in Coningsby, Lincolnshire, launched its “birthday card for Gwen” appeal on Facebook so that Gwen Chapman would have plenty to open on her 102nd birthday, the BBC reported. Children from Coningsby St Michael’s School delivered 50 cards, the local Beavers and Rainbows groups sent more, and the rest came from across Britain and abroad, according to the home.

Sunday

There were too many for Gwen to open alone, so the other residents helped her on the afternoon of her party, which the home held for her friends, family and fellow residents.

“I just don’t know what to say. Thank you very much,” Gwen said.

“We knew Gwen’s 102nd birthday was something special, but we never imagined the response would be quite like this,” said Sophie Lamming, the home’s lifestyle lead. “Gwen has been completely overwhelmed by everyone’s kindness.”

Gwen

Gwen was born in Kirkby-on-Bain and moved to Hagworthingham when she was seven, according to the home. She grew up working on her father’s farm, where prisoners of war helped the family pick vegetables. “I had to be very brave,” she told the BBC.

She married Eric in 1948 and moved with him to Woodhall Spa, where she lived for more than 75 years before moving into Toray Pines in March 2025. They had four children, Betty, John, David and Norman, and she now has nine grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

She puts her age down to “working hard” and “good food plus a cup of tea and chocolate”, and she keeps chocolate in the bag on her walker “for emergencies”, according to the home. Asked what advice she would give her younger self, she said: “To have more patience.”

One more wish

Gwen once worked as a housekeeper at The Dower House in Woodhall Spa, and she would like to go back there for afternoon tea. The staff at Toray Pines told the BBC they hoped to take her during her 102nd year.