Appeal for birthday cards as Fareham pensioner turns 105 after beating Covid-19

Ivy Kingswell, who lives at Cams Ridge Nursing Home in Charlemont Drive, Portchester, will turn 105 on December 21.

But because of the lockdown restrictions imposed due to coronavirus, it’s unlikely that she will have any visitors on that day.

Instead, her family is appealing for locals to send her a birthday card, with the symbolic aim of sending at least 105 cards her way.

Great-granddaughter Ashleigh Rhys, from Fareham, said: ‘She absolutely loves chatting and will talk to anybody.

‘Lockdown was really tough because she wasn’t allowed to see people, and even if lockdown ends on December 2 we don’t know what the rules will be around visiting on her birthday.

‘I came up with the idea of getting cards sent to her, and my friend Amie helped to set everything up for us.’

With the pandemic, it’s been a difficult year for everyone.

But Ivy had the added pressure of having to fend off Covid-19, after testing positive last month.

Ashleigh said: ‘She wasn’t displaying any symptoms, she had a bit of a cough but that’s about it.

‘Fortunately they’re doing regular tests at the care home so they caught it quickly and did a brilliant job of looking after her.

‘She found self-isolation difficult though, purely because of how much she loves to chat.’

Now, the race is on to get birthday cards sent to Ivy before the big day.

Ashleigh and the rest of the pensioner’s family, along with everyone at the care home, is urging members of the public to show their support.

On social media, pleas have been tweeted by celebrities such as Keith Lemon and Arlene Phillips.

Michelle Shann, home manager at Cams Ridge, said: ‘When Ivy’s family told us about her going viral on social media, we couldn’t quite believe it.

‘Turning 105 is such a special occasion and we are going to make sure that we do everything we can to ensure Ivy celebrates it in style.

‘We are going to have a socially distanced house party and her family will be able to join in on FaceTime.

‘Hopefully Ivy will receive lots of wonderful cards and we will be able to spend time reading them together.’

Ivy’s birthday cards should be addressed to her at Cams Ridge Nursing Home, 7 Charlemont Drive, Portchester, Hampshire, PO16 8RT.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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