Hundreds of birthday wishes for Blod’s100th
ACALL to make a woman’s 100th birthday party extra special led to her being sent more than 300 cards.
Olwen Gant celebrated the milestone of a century-year-long life at Bassett House care home on Tuesday.
Staff had shared a post on Facebook, asking anyone and everyone to help make the day extra special, by sending Olwen, affectionately known as “Blod”, a birthday card.
And more than 300 cards arrived from friends, family and total strangers who had joined forces to celebrate the special day at the care home in Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire.
The great grandmother proudly received birthday congratulations from all over the UK. Her greatgrandchildren are not related by blood but rather inherited from an incredible act of love and compassion dating back to the Second World War.
Kassandra Stallard said that during WWII, her grandmother was evacuated to Wales where Blod’s family looked after her. And from then Blod and Kassandra’s grandmother were inseparable.
Kassandra, 38, said: “It was a very emotional day, I just can’t get my head around it.
“I’ve got this knot in my stomach. The care home has been amazing.
“I’ve been into care homes before where I wouldn’t put my dog in there, but they are amazing at Bassett House.
“Empathy and compassion go a long way. There was dancing and the care home brought a buffet out. It was just lovely. It was the care home’s idea to put a post on social media and from there we all shared it. She’s received over 300 and they’re still coming.”
The power of social media resulted in families as far as Scotland and Texas responding to the post and sending Blod a birthday card.
And of course Blod opened a birthday card from Queen Elizabeth herself.
The Welsh woman sported a lovely black floral dress, tiara, sash and bright pink hair.
Even the mayor came to wish Blod the happiest of birthdays, which Bassett House went to every length to give her.
Kassandra added: “We opened them all [the cards] and read them out. Blod was totally amazed, gobsmacked actually.
“I don’t think she realised they were for her – I kept saying to her ‘this is all for you’.”
I don’t think she realised they were for her – I kept saying to her ‘this is all for you’ KASSANDRA