Grandma receives hundreds of cards from strangers after pandemic ruins her 100th birthday

A grandmother has received hundreds of cards from strangers after the pandemic ruined her 100th birthday.

Jean Crichton was inundated with well-wishes from the UK and overseas when her carers made an appeal on Facebook on her behalf.

The centenarian was unable to mark the milestone on Saturday due to the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions but was cheered up when she opened the cards.

She currently lives alone in Wakefield and the only family member she is in contact with is one of her grandchildren.

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Crichton told Yorkshire Live: "I just can't believe that people have been so kind.”

She added: "It's not just adults, kids have sent them too. I've had all sorts of messages.

“They are unbelievable, especially from the little ones. I even had one sent from practically a newborn baby and their family."

Complete Care West Yorkshire had made a plea on Facebook, writing: "HELP, HELP, HELP”

"We really need your help to make this lovely lady's 100th birthday very special."

The response was overwhelming, with nearly 500 birthday being sent to Crichton.

Jodie Bedford, from Complete Care, told the BBC: "She's been planning it so long and then with Covid it meant everything had to be cancelled and we were heartbroken for her.

"She has been blown away by it all. Jean is such a wonderful lady and deserves to be spoilt."

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Her carers are planning to celebrate her birthday on Saturday but have not told her what they have in store.

Crichton’s daughter, husband and former partner are dead and she’s only in contact with her granddaughter but was unable to see her due to restrictions.

She had been reunited with her late sister when she was 61 after they were split up when they were younger.

Crichton added it was a miracle she had made it to 100.

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