Hundreds of cards sent to woman on 106th birthday

A woman celebrating her 106th birthday has been inundated with hundreds of cards from around the world after staff at her care home made an online appeal to mark the milestone.

Eileen Warham, who lives at Mayfield View in Ilkley, received well wishes from as far away as Australia and New Zealand, alongside many more sent from closer to home, including from local school children.

Born in 1920, she has lived through five monarchs and 25 different prime ministers, but staff said she was still as "sharp as a tack".

Eileen said the key to her long life was that she "loves life and people" and enjoyed getting outdoors and looking after herself.

Because of the huge number of cards sent staff said they had been opening them throughout the month.

Julie Lawler, Mayfield's lifestyle lead, said: "We've had well over 300 cards as well as a card from the King and Queen.

"The appeal has just blown up with messages from all over the world. It's been absolutely remarkable.

"We don't have enough space to put them all up."

A party is being held at the home to mark the occasion, with all the residents gathering for celebrations and singing.

Lawler said: "It is such a privilege to share this day with Eileen. She is a wonderful lady and has seen so much in her life.

"She has so many stories to tell and recollections [from] when she was a young woman - she always says she was such a flirt and then laughs her head off."

As well as the party, there have been other events throughout the month to mark the occasion.

Eileen's late husband, Joe, spent 50 years with Leeds Rhinos where among his roles, he served as head coach when they won their first two championships in 1961 and 1969.

She was visited by ex-players Alan Smith and Phil Holmes, who were signed by her husband back in the day, for a nostalgic get-together.

As for Wednesday's celebrations Lawler said, in between visits from family and friends, that "Eileen will have a few wines".

"She loves a drink. Every single day she has a couple of glasses of wine with her lunch and tea and why not."

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