Caring Citizen readers help make 100th birthday extra special for Milton Keynes lady

Bletchley House Care Home resident Joyce Sippet was looking forward to a large celebration with her family on her big day last week.

Due to Covid regulations, the gathering sadly had to be cancelled - but the care home came up with a plan to bring a smile to Joyce's face. They put out an appeal on social media and through the Citizen for people to pop a birthday card in the post to wish her a happy birthday.

Dozens of people responded, including schoolchildren, and Joyce was over the moon to receive almost 300 cards.

A spokesman for Bletchley House said: "Joyce received cards from friends, family and people across the country that had seen our post and the feature in MK Citizen... We nearly triple out target of 100. Joyce was so happy and surprised."

Children at Bishop Parker School and Moorland Primary School set about making their own cards and sent a total hail of 135, which Joyce especially loved.

Then, of course, she received a card from the queen, making it to 298 all together.

A family member said former auxiliary nurse Joyce was thrilled with the cards and loved reading the messages. She has thanked everybody who sent one.