Card appeal for care home resident's 103rd birthday

A care home in Derbyshire has launched an appeal for well-wishers to send cards to a resident ahead of her 103rd birthday.

Mabel White, who lives at Watford House Care Home in New Mills, will celebrate her birthday on Monday.

The 102-year-old has no children or family, and staff at the care home are urging the community to send her a card so she can "feel special" on her big day.

Activities manager Matthew Cox said: "I think it's important to celebrate your birthday at whatever stage of life you are at, so why don't we make a noise for Mabel?"

Mrs White arrived at Watford House Care Home in 2018 after her husband died and has been an "absolute delight" ever since, the home said.

Mr Cox said: "She had her big 100th birthday during Covid and we had to celebrate her 101st birthday without too much of a fuss because of restrictions, so we really would like to do something special for her this year."

Staff believe Mrs White was born in Ashton-under-Lyne in 1922 and said she was 17 years old when World War Two started.

"It's not quite clear what she did in the war, we have photographs and documents that show she looked after children and worked at a post office," said Mr Cox.

"We do know that Mabel lived most of her adult life on a farm with her husband in New Mills."

Mr Cox said that Mrs White, who has dementia, liked to talk about travelling and "loves cats".

Mr Cox said staff were appealing for cards "from anybody and anyone in the community".

People are invited to send in cards either by post or in person.

"Since the message has gone out, we've had messages from people who have remembered Mabel in the community and have told us stories that we have never heard before," said Mr Cox.

"It's been an interesting few days on how people know and remember what she has done in her life.

"I would love it if we could get her 103 cards for her 103rd birthday."

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