Staff at Heartlands Care & Nursing Home in Yardley have launched an appeal to help their resident Lillian celebrate a milestone Birthday. Lillian, who will be one-hundred years old on Saturday 13th February, has lived at Heartlands for over six years and is a great character. Customer Relations Manager, Stacey Debney decided to step in after realising that Lillian had no close family to help her celebrate her birthday. Stacey put an appeal on the home’s Facebook page asking people to send in birthday cards and explaining her favourite colour is purple, and she loves anything Royal.
Within twenty-four hours hundreds of cards had started flooding into the home and many community organisations and local people have been in touch with gifts and messages of support. The local doctors’ surgery, Job Centre, Post Office, Morrison’s supermarket and many more local businesses have offered cakes, gifts and decorations. Stacey has had numerous requests for interviews from local radio stations and newspapers to help spread the word.
“So many local people have got in touch, it’s been quite overwhelming.” Said Stacey “One local lady is making Lillian a dress for her to wear on her birthday, in her favourite colour purple. Another person is sending her a tiara to make her feel like a queen for the day. I've also had contact from a local police officer, who has very kindly ordered a big three-piece jigsaw, which is quite a large one of the Royal Family, because she loves those. It's been really heart-warming, everyone's just really overjoyed.”
The team at Heartlands Care Home have taken precautions to ensure any donations are handled safely, they are quarantining all gifts letters before they are given to Lillian and ensuring everything can be properly enjoyed. Staff and residents at Heartlands Care Home will be making a big fuss of Lillian on her birthday with a party, birthday cake and an opportunity to look at all the wonderful cards and messages she has received.
“We have received offers of entertainment from local musicians that we can stream live for the party” said Stacey “So I’m sure there will be some singing and dancing too”.
Having now received so many gifts for Lillian, the home doesn’t have the ability to take any more but they would still love to receive a card or video message to show her on the big day. If you would like to send Lillian a card please post it to: Lillian c/o Heartlands Care & Nursing Home, 50 Broadstone Road, Yardley, Birmingham B26 2BN. If you would like to send Lillian a birthday message you can either email Stacey.debney@countrycourtcare.com or via WhatsApp on 07568 128 210.
