Hayley Rowson de Vares is the new manager at The Lodge, which is located within Buckshaw Retirement Village. The Lodge…
Gifts and cards flooded into a local care home recently to celebrate the 100th birthday of one of their residents
John Dowling, a proud Second World War Royal Marine Veteran celebrated this amazing milestone with residents and staff at The Lodge, a specialist dementia care home within the award winning Buckshaw Retirement Village.
His extra special day was filled with lots of memories and messages from family, friends and many Royal Marines.
Manager of The Lodge, Julie Stringfellow said, “We were proud to give John a party to celebrate his 100th birthday. Of course due to current Covid regulations and social distancing a traditional party wasn’t possible but everyone ensured that John didn’t miss out.”
His career in the Royal Marines played a big part in his life, and despite the dementia, he still tells stories of the war and his time in the Royal Marines”
Although many people who wanted to couldn’t be there in person, earlier in the week john was delighted when three representatives of the wartime armed forces called round in a WW2 jeep to salute John.”
John enjoyed reading many birthday messages sent over social media as well as receiving well over 300 birthday cards. Along with many lovely gifts and lots of balloons, a local school created a special board full of all the many birthday cards made by the children.
Julie added, “We were all amazed to see so many cards come which just highlights how highly John is thought of. We can’t thank everyone enough for sending cards and gifts.
“It was a very special occasion and a fitting testament to a great man.”