Touching moment more than 100 neighbours sing Happy Birthday to Portsmouth woman with cancer

Zoe Duke, who turned 60 on Saturday, was supposed to be on holiday celebrating her birthday but has been through a difficult time after being diagnosed with terminal cancer in November.

The situation has been compounded by the current lockdown measures which mean Zoe, who is classed as extremely vulnerable to coronavirus, cannot ‘even go to the beach or drive out in the car’.

However, Zoe was moved to tears and given a ‘real boost’ after more than 100 residents came out onto her Preston Road street to serenade her with a heartfelt rendition of Happy Birthday followed by a round of applause.

Zoe said: ‘It was a real boost and put me on such a high that I couldn’t sleep last night.

‘It was like something out of a movie and I felt like a celebrity for the day. Cars were sounding their horns and people were saying how much I deserved the reception.’

Husband Tony, 54, was so moved by the caring gesture that he also burst into tears.

‘I was feeling quite low on the day as due to Zoe’s condition we are quite restricted on how we can celebrate her birthday – we can’t even have a glass of fizz,’ he said.

‘When I heard all the people singing I filled up with tears. I never cry but I did on this occasion. It was such an emotional day.’

Like Zoe, Tony had been totally unaware of the plan for the celebratory serenade.

‘When I saw there were people outside who were starting to clap I initially thought it was for the NHS and so we went outside and joined in. It was only when they started to sing Happy Birthday that I realised it was for Zoe,’ he said.

Zoe added: ‘I saw people gathering outside and then a car sounded its horn and everyone started to clap. I had no idea it was for me.’

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The street celebration had been organised by Zoe’s nieces, Sara Hillyer and Nicola Powell, who had posted a message card through neighbour’s doors inviting them to join together in wishing Zoe a happy birthday.

Sara, from Cosham, said: ‘I wasn’t really sure how many people would turn out but the sense of community when everyone was singing was way beyond anything I thought possible. It provided the kind of medicine which can’t be prescribed.’

Generous neighbours also spent the evening showering Zoe with gifts and cards of appreciation which were left on her doorstep.

‘Children in street made cards saying “Happy Birthday Auntie Zoe” and neighbours also sent gifts of cake, wine and flowers. It was wonderful that so many people got involved and I can’t believe that people I don’t even know would do this,’ she said.

Sara added: ‘I think the adversity facing people has really brought communities together.’

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