Champagne, birthday cake and fish and chips were on the menu as dozens of people in Onehouse came out to help celebrate their neighbour’s 99th birthday.
Charles Read usually spends his birthday with his family, who jet in from across the world to join him on his special day.
Sadly, this year his daughter, Heather Jones, could not make the trip from her Essex home due to social distancing guidelines.
Her brother in America and sister in Luxembourg were also forced to stay away due to travel restrictions.
However, the community made sure the 99-year-old got the chance to celebrate his special day on Saturday, April 25 with as many people as possible.
Mr Read’s live-in carer, Sarah Welch, and community helper Andrew Sykes decided to hold a party and invite his neighbours to take part.
His daughter, Mrs Jones said: “Onehouse has such a fantastic, tight knit community. They run a taxi service for those who need help and hold coffee mornings.
“Andrew and Sarah came up with the idea because we couldn’t have the family party with him, so they asked if the neighbours would come out and sing him happy birthday.
“Sarah brought out the champagne and cake and dad sat out there for over an hour whilst his neighbours came out and gave him several renditions of happy birthday.”
Around 35 of Mr Read’s neighbours came to see him for his birthday treat.
But the celebration didn’t stop there.
Following a big family video chat, the Suffolk resident had his favourite fish and chips which he had requested especially.
Mrs Jones said: “He was waving and opened cards and took part in the singing. It was absolutely wonderful. He was very appreciative.
“It was lovely for us all to see he was still able to have a birthday party.
“We are all extremely grateful for Andrew and Sarah they decorated the garden the house and he requested fish and chips that night, so it was really good.”
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