0 Care home flooded with presents as community celebrates nan's 100th birthday
THE PEOPLE of St Helens have come together to ensure a 100-year-old woman celebrates her birthday in the best way possible.
Margaret Garceau, a resident of Elm Tree House in Newton-le-Willows, turned 100 today (Thursday, January 20) and was showered with presents, cards and flowers from members of the local community.
Due to an outbreak of coronavirus in the care home earlier this month, Elm Tree has been under strict safety regulations as Margaret's centenary approached.
However, wanting to make her birthday "that little bit extra special", carers from Elm Tree put out a public request for people to send over whatever they could to mark the occasion.
As people in St Helens often do, the community request was quickly acted upon as tons of residents made cakes, treats, personalised birthday cards and sent in flowers and balloons so Margaret could celebrate in style.
Additionally, Margaret was able to show off her birthday card from the Queen to mark the milestone.
Judith Clare, a carer at Elm Tree, said: "Margaret had an eventful life joining the land army in the Second World War [and] she was a nurse at the local cottage hospital.
Judith added that Margaret, who has been at the care home for eight years, has a "very positive attitude to care" due to her nursing background and will celebrate her day with her granddaughter and great granddaughter.