Man's card appeal for grandmother's 100th birthday

Greg Ward said he wanted to make his grandmother's 100th birthday special

The grandson of a woman who is due to celebrate her 100th birthday wants as many people as possible to send her a birthday card.

Greg Ward from Coventry said: "We wanted to make it as special as possible, because it's quite rare that you get people hit that age."

Elsie Ward has lived in the city since moving there to marry and he said she was "very well known" in the Tile Hill area.

He said she loved getting cards from all around the world and he expected to receive well over his initial target of 100 cards.

Ms Ward's birthday is on 22 May and Mr Ward has been sharing his appeal for cards on social media ahead of the big day.

She has three children, four grandchildren and nine great grandchildren and has lived in the same house since moving to Coventry during World War Two.

Mr Ward said: "She's always got her front door open, she's always there willing to help people."

Elsie was born in Doncaster, but moved to Coventry to get married

Mr Ward said his grandmother gave sweets to children and was "what you need in the community".

Her collection of cards fills a number of boxes in her home, he said, some of them from family in Australia, but others from friends all over the world, including the United States and Japan.

He said he initially thought getting 100 birthday cards would be "amazing", but has seen his appeal take off.

Elsie Ward loves receiving cards, her grandson said

Mr Ward said he has had responses from care homes and nursery schools, who have promised to send cards, plus many social media messages.

He has asked people to send their cards to him and to get in touch through the Love Cheylesmore Facebook group.