An RAF veteran who fought in World War Two spent his 101st birthday opening thousands of cards from strangers across the world after he survived two bouts of Covid.
Widower Jack Annall was brought to tears by the more than 5,000 birthday cards he received from strangers.
He had so many that staff at the care home where he lives covered the rooms and corridors of the building with them.
Staff at Anchor’s Sandholme Fold care home in Halifax, spent hours covering the walls with the thousands of cards.
Jack previously survived two brushes with covid over the pandemic, and said the good food was the key to longevity.
Jack said: “Today has been absolutely incredible, the atmosphere has been amazing. I was so overwhelmed and touched that these people thought of me.
“It’s just so unbelievable, I don’t know how this has all been done.
“I’m over the moon. I just want to thank everyone across the world and the country for making the day so special.
“It will take me 101 years to read all of the cards.”
Alongside this, the centenarian was visited by the Air Force and the town’s mayor and treated to his own brass band concert.
Jack has no family in the UK and was upset that he wouldn’t be able to celebrate with his daughter Mary, who lives in Australia.
To try and raise his spirits, the manager of the care home he’s lived at since 2016, Vicky Gudgin, appealed on social media for birthday cards to be sent in.
The idea resonated with thousands and Jack received cards from thousands in Halifax and beyond.
There were even offers from balloon makers and entertainers and parents offered to bring their children along to sing to the veteran.
Vicky said that Jack “wouldn’t want a big party” and instead of a celebratory glass of prosecco he had his favourite tipple crisp pear cider.
She said: “I knew he was feeling a little bit down about not being able to see his daughter and I thought, what can we do to lift his spirits?
“I thought, let’s get the community involved and the extent it has is incredible.”
Jack was born in Carlisle, Cumbria, and lived in Bradford with his late wife May.
He served as a joiner in the RAF for more than four years during the Second World War as part of Number 617 Squadron and worked on Mosquito planes.
His daughter, Mary, lives in Sydney and has not been to visit for more than three years in part due to the coronavirus pandemic.
She gave him a special call yesterday and said: “Dad is an amazing man who has always supported those close to him.”
Care home staff said he enjoys painting, classical music, brass bands and speaking with his family.
