Coventry man is appealing for congratulations on his grandmother’s 100th birthday

The grandson of a woman who is about to celebrate her 100th birthday wants as many people as possible to send her a birthday card.

Greg Ward from Coventry said: “We wanted to make it as special as possible because it’s quite rare for people to get to that age.”

Elsie Ward has lived in the town since moving there to get married and said she is “very well known” in the Tile Hill area.

He said he enjoyed getting books from all over the world and expected to receive well over his original target of 100 books.

Mrs Ward’s birthday is on May 22 and Mr Ward shared his call for congratulations on social media ahead of the big day.

He has three children, four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren and has lived in the same house since he moved to Coventry during the Second World War.

Mr Ward said: “She always has her front door open, she’s always there willing to help people.”

Mr Ward said his grandmother used to give sweets to children and it was “what you need in the community”.

Her book collection fills a number of boxes in her home, he said, some from family in Australia but others from friends around the world, including the United States and Japan.

He said he initially thought getting 100 birthday cards would be “amazing” but has seen its appeal erode.

Mr Ward said he had received responses from care homes and nurseries promising to send congratulations, plus many messages on social media.

He asked people to send him their congratulations and get in touch via the Love Cheylesmore Facebook group.