Birthday girl Ruth receives over 500 cards on her 107th birthday

Ruth Thomas had 524 cards delivered from people across the country wishing her a happy birthday today (Thursday).

They included a card from the Queen, a box of sweets from Moonpig and a bouquet of flowers from Tesco sent to The Lawns Care Home.

Children at local schools sent her cards while nursery school children sent a video of them singing Happy Birthday.

Lifestyle and well being co-ordinator Joy Hoskins said: "Ruth has had a lovely day turning 107.

"She has had 524 cards which have come from all over the place.

"They came from different care homes in the UK, the Brownies did a beautiful card so did the children from Kempsey school where every child made a card.

"The toddler group sent a video of themselves singing as well.

"It's been so lovely, people know Ruth from the village when she ran the swimming pool.

"We have put as many of Ruth's cards on the wall as we can but we still have boxes and boxes.

"She's loved reading them and had a really nice day." 

Hundreds of people responded to the plea made on social media and the Worcester News for birthday cards.

Ruth has a daughter Gill in Portsmouth and a daughter in law Lynn Thomas who lives in Worcestershire.

The Lawns manager Melanie Dawson said: "Ruth does like a little bit of a fuss.

"She is a local girl and ran the swimming pool at the manor house in Kempsey.

"Lots of people from the local area will remember her from when her and her husband ran the swimming pool outside the Lawns.

"She came to use in 2014 when she was coming up to 100 and even through these last two years of covid has kept her smile.

"She has always been a happy lady and if you asked her the secret of a long life she would say it was her positive outlook.

"Ruth is so easy to look after and a bit of a stalwart, she is just an absolute darling and we think an awful lot of her.

"You don't live to 107 without having an interesting life."