Nursing home issues plea for public to send resident 102 cards for her 102nd birthday

By Lauren Beavis via SWNS

A nursing home has issued a plea to the public to help a resident who held a "top secret" job in WWII celebrate her birthday - by sending in 102 cards.

Una Dorothy Woof-Hopps worked for the Ministry of Supply during the war, helping to co-ordinate the supply of equipment to all the armed forces.

And she turns 102 on February 23 - which her carers at Trowbridge Oaks want to mark by doing something special.

Thoughtful staff at the home in Trowbridge, England are now asking people from across Britain to send in cards to Una.

Receptionist Kayleigh Deadman said: “We have decided to do the card appeal because we want to celebrate what an incredible achievement reaching 102 is.

"The Trowbridge community has really come together in recent times, so we’re hoping that same spirit can get 102 cards to Una for her birthday.

"She is such a lovely person and an absolute joy to be around, so we want to make her day as special as possible.”

Una, who was born in London in 1920, worked in the iconic Shell Mex House on Strand during WWII, and helped to provide urgent supplies to the troops on the front line.

She then worked as a live-in nanny after 1945 before marrying her husband, Jack, in 1960 and adopting her children, Shaun and Annabel.

Jack and Una enjoyed 50 years of marriage and loved spending time together outdoors, often taking day trips to go sailing down the river Thames

Una is now the proud grandmother to eight grandchildren, as well as being a great-grandmother.

In addition to surprising her with the cards, the nursing home team will celebrate Una's milestone birthday with a specially-made vanilla sponge cake,

When asked how she feels about the prospect of reaching 102, Una said: “Reaching 102 is certainly very special.

"I look forward to spending the day with my friends and all the lovely people who work at the home.

"I am also very excited to have a slice of my delicious birthday cake, though I think the care home team might struggle to fit 102 candles on it!"

Una enjoys having a cup of tea and a chat with her fellow residents at Trowbridge Oaks, which is run by Bupa, as well as playing skittles.

Home manager Linda Watts said: “Una is the best skittles player at Trowbridge Oaks – if skittles was an Olympic sport, she’d be a gold medallist!

"Whatever activity Una partakes in at Trowbridge Oaks, she always contributes so much to our fun atmosphere and all the care home team and residents love spending time with her.

“Having worked as a live-in nanny, Una loves children, so we are hoping lots of local children will write her a birthday card.

"With all the cards she receives from the local community and all those cards and gifts she’ll receive from her family; we hope to make her birthday one that she will never forget.”

Anyone wishing to send Una a card can post one to Una Dorothy Wood-Hopps at Trowbridge Oaks Bupa Care Home, West Ashton Road, Trowbridge, BA14 6DW.