Isolated Blesma Widow inundated with cards and gifts on her 99th birthday

Birthday cards and gifts from Blesma Members have helped to raise the spirits of a 99-year-old isolated Blesma Widow.

Lilian Almond was discharged into a nursing home away from family and friends in North Wales after spending some time in hospital, following a fall at home.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, and a shortage of care workers to assist her, Lilian could not return home and was instead moved to a nursing home near Llandudno. Despite her hospital visit being non covid-19 related she was forced to self-quarantine in her room, and away from other residents.

After several failed attempts to reach Lilian, Blesma Support Officer Tom Hall asked volunteer and Blesma Member Mitch Singleton to visit her home address to check on her wellbeing. After a lot of hard work in tracking down Lilian and her family, Mitch was able to pass on information for Tom to make contact with Lilian’s daughter Patricia. She  made him aware that Lilian was very low as she was solating alone in one bedroom of the care home.

With her 99th birthday fast approaching on Thursday 21st May, Tom and Outreach Officer Jas Suller wanted to boost her morale, so called on their Members to help celebrate Lilian’s birthday by sending in birthday cards to be forwarded on to her.

However, in the true sense of the Blesma community and after spotting the post on the team’s Facebook page, Members from all regions inundated them with cards and gifts which included flowers, painted slates, knitted blankets and slippers, and photographs. Jas was kept hard at work visiting his local post office to send all the cards and gifts to Lilian. He said: “As soon as Tom mentioned Lilian’s predicament, I contacted the remainder of the Blesma Outreach Team who informed their Members of Lilian’s birthdays, which resulted in cards and gifts from all the regions across the UK. The pictures we received from Patricia made my day and reminded me how special the Association is.”

Lilian’s daughter, Patricia, said: “Mum had a happy 99th birthday. Her spirits were lifted. My brother visited the care home and saw her through the window. She was so excited as she had not been able to see him for months. He took her a cake. She will not be able to write thank you letters to everyone, so a big thank you to all who sent cards and gifts.”

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