Stowmarket: Irene Pilborough, 101, receives 160 cards

Stowmarket resident Irene Pilborough, who lives at Chilton Meadows Bupa care home, reached the milestone on Sunday, March 19.

Last month, the care home appealed to the community to send Ms Pilborough birthday cards to mark the occasion.

They wanted to get to 101 cards for the milestone. 

At last count, Ms Pilborough received 169 cards from all over the community.

She celebrated the occasion with an afternoon tea at Narey’s Garden Centre the day before her birthday, and then on the day was paid a visit by the mayor of Stowmarket, councillor Barry Salmon.

Councillor Salmon said: "Irene was a ray of sunshine. We turned up and she was sitting there with some of the cards from the home and she was taking a real interest in what was happening and what people were saying in the cards.

"She has lost none of her sense of humour. It turned out to be a lovely afternoon. The staff were brilliant with her but she really was the star.

"The cards were from all over - from Addenbrooke's, some from schoolchildren who had been up to the home in the past, some from cadets. People had taken the time to be nice and kind to do something like this.

"It was a nice occasion and some thing that you feel privileged to go to. You just think, some days are better for doing something - that was one of those days."

A spokesperson from the care home added: "She loved it, absolutely loved it.

"She went to Narey’s for afternoon tea the day before her birthday and then celebrated on the day at Gainsborough and the mayor came.

"Irene is lovely. She's a pleasure to look after."