Care home staff have issued a heartfelt appeal for birthday cards for one of their most ‘treasured’ residents who is about to turn 105.
Lilian Todd, who has lived through 27 different prime ministers and five monarchs, will reach the incredible milestone on October 13.
And she revealed her secret to keeping fit and well for so long was down to “living a good life” while also having a regular cup of tea “with two sugars”.
Lilian is currently a resident at Aire View Care Home, in Leeds, West Yorks., where the team decided they wanted to ‘pull out all the stops’ to give her an amazing big day.
And when wellbeing and activities coordinator Kirsty Burleigh put out an initial call to well-wishers for cards and gifts, she was “overwhelmed” by the response.
She said: “She is the most adorable lady you will meet in your life. She’s Yorkshire through and through.
"When I found out it was her 105th birthday, I couldn’t wait to do something. It’s special because it’s not every day that you see someone turn 105.
"She deserves it. We’re going to do it in the afternoon so that her family can join us.
She’s a true treasure.”
Lilian said that she enjoyed sewing, helping people and taking children out for walks – and she also used to go dancing every Friday night in Otley, West Yorks.
Asked if she was looking forward to celebrating her birthday, she said: “In a way, but I wish it was an earlier birthday.”
Any readers wanting to send Lilian a birthday card can send it to Aire View Care Home, 29, Broad Lane, Kirkstall, Leeds, LS5 3ED
Lilian Todd, who has lived through 27 different prime ministers and five monarchs, will reach the incredible milestone on October 13.
And she revealed her secret to keeping fit and well for so long was down to “living a good life” while also having a regular cup of tea “with two sugars”.
Lilian is currently a resident at Aire View Care Home, in Leeds, West Yorks., where the team decided they wanted to ‘pull out all the stops’ to give her an amazing big day.
And when wellbeing and activities coordinator Kirsty Burleigh put out an initial call to well-wishers for cards and gifts, she was “overwhelmed” by the response.
She said: “She is the most adorable lady you will meet in your life. She’s Yorkshire through and through.
"When I found out it was her 105th birthday, I couldn’t wait to do something. It’s special because it’s not every day that you see someone turn 105.
"She deserves it. We’re going to do it in the afternoon so that her family can join us.
She’s a true treasure.”
Lilian said that she enjoyed sewing, helping people and taking children out for walks – and she also used to go dancing every Friday night in Otley, West Yorks.
Asked if she was looking forward to celebrating her birthday, she said: “In a way, but I wish it was an earlier birthday.”
Any readers wanting to send Lilian a birthday card can send it to Aire View Care Home, 29, Broad Lane, Kirkstall, Leeds, LS5 3ED
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FunTranscript
00:00 Right, we're rolling whenever you're ready.
00:02 Lillian, can you tell me what's the secret to living so long?
00:08 Just maybe a good life.
00:12 A good life, and what did you used to do?
00:16 I used to do a lot of sewing and helping people, taking children out for walks.
00:22 Oh, that's lovely. And did you go dancing as well?
00:26 Dancing as well, every Friday night at the Mechanic's of Otley.
00:30 Oh, wonderful. Did you enjoy it?
00:33 Oh, it was lovely.
00:35 Out seeing people, and we used to go to the Swan for a drink, but it wasn't me, it was only Lebanese.
00:42 So Lillian, your big special birthday is coming up soon.
00:48 Are you looking forward to celebrating your birthday?
00:52 In a way, but I wish it was an earlier birthday. I think it would have been the last one, I don't know.
01:00 Oh no, hopefully plenty more.
01:05 We'll have to have a drink on your birthday.
01:08 Have a what?
01:09 A cup of tea on your birthday. Is that your favourite drink?
01:14 Yeah, tea, a cup of tea with two sugars.
01:17 With two sugars, you like your sugar, don't you?
01:20 Yeah.
01:22 Oh, you like your jam as well, don't you?
01:32 I like all of them.
01:33 Jam.
01:34 I like my jam.
01:35 You enjoyed making your jam?
01:37 Yes, I like my jam.
01:39 - Yeah, that's better.
01:41 - Okay.