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More than 400 people send cards for 100th birthday

GUY CAMPBELL/BBC A woman wearing a tiara in her hair and a pink cardigan holds up a card from the King and Queen celebrating her 100th birthdayGUY CAMPBELL/BBC
Following a request on social media by care home staff, Olive received nearly 450 cards from well-wishers to mark her 100th birthday

A centenarian has expressed her gratitude to well-wishers after she received 443 birthday cards from people around the UK and abroad.

A request for 100 cards was made on social media to mark Olive Welch's centenary celebration but the appeal resulted in nearly five times that amount being sent.

Olive, who lives at Manor Farm Care Home in Kessingland, Suffolk, also received a card from the King and Queen together with a visit from the Mayor of Lowestoft.

Kylie Child, the care home manager said: "We have all been overwhelmed by the response and Olive has received cards from Australia, America, Wales and from across the country. It's been a really wonderful birthday celebration."

GUY CAMPBELL/BBC The Mayor of Lowestoft Nasima Begum, wearing her ceremonial chain of office stands beside a councillor Alan Green representing East Suffolk Council wearing a grey jacket. Seated in the middle is Olive wearing a tiara in her hair and a pink cardigan. GUY CAMPBELL/BBC
Lowestoft Mayor, Nasima Begum, and Councillor Alan Green, representing East Suffolk Council, attended the party to celebrate Olive's 100th birthday

Olive said: "I didn't think all the cards were mine because I didn't think I knew that many people but I am very thankful to everybody.

"I have no secrets to living a long life but I've been lucky that I do have good health. The staff here help me in any way they can and my family are always there for me too."

Relatives joined Olive for her special day as did the Mayor of Lowestoft, Nasima Begum, who said: "This has been a wonderful party and it's obvious that the staff have gone to a lot of effort to make this day very special for Olive."

Amanda Loud, activities coordinator at Manor Farm Care Home said: "We just wanted to make her birthday as special as possible so we asked followers on Facebook to send birthday wishes to Olive with a hope she might receive 100 cards.

"But we have been overwhelmed by the constant stream of visitors delivering cards and we have even had video messages from other care homes too as well as cards from pets.

"Olive is such a special lady and a wonderful character and we are so thankful that there are so many kind and generous people out there who have taken the time to send her their birthday wishes."

Some of the cards Olive received were handmade by school children and Olive also received packages and presents and enjoyed a performance by the Vibettes who describe themselves as a vintage style duo, delivering up-tempo swing and boogie-woogie rhythms.

GUY CAMPBELL/BBC 100th birthday cards can be seen on a wooden table with yellow, purple and pink balloons either side. GUY CAMPBELL/BBC
Just some of the nearly 450 cards Olive has received from well-wishers to mark her 100th birthday

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