Wednesbury pensioner celebrates with hundreds of birthday cards ahead of her big day following appeal

The warmth and generosity of the West Midlands public shows no bounds - and a Wednesbury pensioner who will turn 102 on Monday is testament to that.

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The Express & Star put out a call to make sure Lillian 'Lil' Hollinshead got 102 cards for the big day and she has nearly trebled that with 300 so far and counting.

Lillian Hollinshead will celebrate her 102nd birthday at Dovedale Court Care Home, Wednesbury on Monday. She is pictured with staff members, and visiting police and firefighters who dropped in to wish her well before the weekend

They have flooded in to Dovedale Court Care Home where she lives since the appeal was made on Tuesday and continue to do so, with well wishes from schools, pubs, community organisations, keeping the Postman busy.

Lil has also received plenty of visits including from Wednesbury MP Antonia Bance and West Midlands Fire Service, who dropped in on Friday along with colleagues from the police.

Lillian Hollinshead celebrates her 102nd birthday at Dovedale Court Care Home, Wednesbury.

Police dog Nate, an adorable two-and-a-half year old Labrador came in along with community officers from the Wednesbury LPU and they added to the cards and best wishes.

Lil has been taken to Dudley Zoo and on a tour of childhood haunts in the Black Country in Wednesbury including her childhood home in Franchise Street and where she used to work in the town making gloves.

And this is all before the actual day when she passes 102.

Merialeen Namsgiri the deputy manager at Dovedale Court said Lili and everyone at the home had been overwhelmed by the cards and best wishes and she wanted to thank them all.

She said: "From the MP, police and fire officers who visited, to the 300 cards she has received and all the messages from organisations in the community, it has already been very special for her.

"On the day there will be a full party for her with residents from Waterside Care Home, a cake from Heavenly Bakes and balloons from Daisy B.

"Angie Lloyd and Yvonne Cooper will give their services for free in entertaining everyone and we are all looking forward to the big day, no more than Lil who is a real character and loves nothing more than talking to her friends over a cup of tea."

There is still time to send a card - the address is F.A.O. Lilian Hollinshead, Dovedale Court Care Home, Holyhead Road, Wednesbury, West Midlands, WS10 7PZ.