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Irene stunned by haul of 107th birthday cards

Tom BurgessNorth East and Cumbria
News imageAbbeyfield Castle Farm Irene Gibson is smiling. She has curly white hair and is wearing a cream jacket, glasses and a birthday sash over her left shoulder. She is sitting in a high-back, patterned beige lounge chair. She looks much younger that 107.Abbeyfield Castle Farm
Irene Gibson has been sent 172 birthday cards

A 107-year-old Women's Auxiliary Air Force veteran has been inundated with birthday cards after her care home appealed for people to send 107 of them to mark her milestone.

Irene Gibson spent Friday with her family and friends having a birthday party at Abbeyfield Castle Farm in Gosforth, Newcastle.

Activities coordinator Helen Angel said Irene, who particularly loves Tai Chi classes, was "stunned" by the 172 cards she had to get through.

The birthday girl, who was born on 4 September 1919 and served at Marston Moor in Yorkshire during the Second World War, said the secret to reaching 107-year-old was to "just carry on doing the right thing".

In 1961, she married her husband Tom and the couple spent 45 years together raising a family.

News imageSUPPLIED Irene Gibson is wearing her Women's Auxiliary Air Force uniform in an old black and white picture. She is wearing a military hat and smiling.SUPPLIED
Irene Gibson served at Marston Moor in Yorkshire

When Irene saw her postbag she exclaimed: "Wow, that is a lot of cards."

Angel said: "Irene's positive attitude, determination and willingness to stay engaged make her an inspiration to residents, staff and visitors alike."

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