THE FAMILY of a Bromsgrove resident ensured she had an 88th birthday to remember despite the Coronavirus lockdown.
Avril Ball was told to go to her front door at 6pm on her special day last Wednesday. To her surprise, all her neighbours came out and sang happy birthday to her.
Her son Matt and his family had leafleted neighbours the night before to ask them if they would join in.
The idea came from Matt’s 11-year-old daughter Jess who saw a similar idea on the news where an American got his neighbours to sing happy birthday to his partner. Jess also made Avril a cake.
Matt said: “My mum has been in self-isolation for almost six weeks.
“Normally we would make a fuss of her on her birthday but we are trying to protect her as best we can.”
Lots of her family and friends live far away and cannot see her as usual.
“We didn’t have to worry. Every house came out with their families and even passing dog walkers stopped to join in,” said Matt.
“Around 50 people made mum’s birthday surprise a brilliant success and she hasn’t stopped phoning family and friends since. She has truly had a birthday to remember.”
The Woodland estate where she lives have really pulled together to help each other during these difficult times with a Facebook and WhatsApp groups to stay in touch.
“I know if I had posted this on it, the estate would have come together en-masse but due to social distancing, we had to keep it to her immediate neighbours.
“Mum’s neighbours have always looked our for her and we didn’t realise just how many wonderful people she has within the wider neighbourhood.
“Their response and support was truly overwhelming and we cannot express how much we appreciated their support on her birthday.”
