Cards and gifts arrive from across the UK for Elspeth’s birthday

Elspeth’s birthday cards, balloons, flowers and cakes arrived at a Bakewell care home from across the UK to mark a resident’s birthday following an appeal from staff.

A message was posted on Facebook by staff at Burton Closes Hall Care Home, on Haddon Road, Bakewell, ahead of resident Elspeth Hodgson’s 67^th birthday.

The response has been “amazing”, with 87 cards arriving from around Derbyshire and further afield, from Scotland, Wales, the Channel Islands and North East of England.

Elspeth received a box of brownies from Oh Crumbs bakery, in Retford, Nottinghamshire, and a gift basket was made up by children from Blue Mountain Homes, an East Midlands residential care provider to young people.

Cards arrived from across Bakewell, including from the team at Newholme Hospital, on Baslow Road, the youngsters from Child 1st Day Nursery, on Matlock Street, pupils from Lady Manners School, on Shutts Lane, and staff at Medway Community Centre, on New Street.

Children at Great Longstone Pre School, on Main Street, Great Longton, also sent a card. As did the team at Banks Skip Hire, on Station Lane, Old Whittington, Chesterfield.

Ex-staff members from Burton Closes Hall, including Micky Patridge, who worked at the home in the 90s, brought flowers and cards. And current staff who were not working on Elspeth’s birthday visited the home to wish her well and hand over cards and presents.

She also received three big foil balloons and six bouquets of flowers, which helped decorate the care home for a lunch party for Elspeth and fellow residents.

They all enjoyed slices of homemade cake, baked by Emma Clemson, the mother of one of the home’s carers, Gabrielle Yardley.

Elspeth said: “It’s so kind of everyone to think of me.”

Lauri Regan, home manager at Burton Closes Hall Care Home, said: “We did a birthday card appeal for Elspeth as her family are rarely able to visit the home. The response was amazing, with cards arriving from all over, including local companies and community members.

“Stories in the cards explained who they were from and their connections to Elspeth from earlier in her life, including people who have crossed paths with her and are still thinking about her. She received a card saying “you’re the boss on your birthday” and she definitely took it to heart.

“Elspeth spent most of the time smiling and laughing. It was great to see when we read the messages on the cards, as she remembered the people who had sent them A fellow resident started crying saying she was so touched by how kind everyone had been to her friend.

“We’d just like to add a massive thank you to everyone who sent cards and presents and made the day so special for Elspeth.”