A campaign has started to send a pensioner 100 cards when she reaches a century.
Sadie Lassman is turning 100 on January 29, and carers at the Goldbridge Bupa Care Home in Haywards Heath want to give Sadie 100 cards to celebrate the big day.
Celebrations for her milestone birthday are set to include a party in the lounge surrounded by family and friends, and a homemade cake and a mountain of birthday cards.
When asked her advice for a long and happy life, Sadie said: “I never thought that I would make it to this age considering the serious illness I had as teenager.
"I'm lucky to be alive and my philosophy in life is never to give up no matter how tough the going is."
She grew up in the East End of London with two brothers during The Blitz and suffered from rheumatic fever when she was younger, meaning Sadie spent a lot of time quarantined in hospital.
Once she recovered, she left school early to earn money to help her family.
Sadie became a seamstress and was known for creating her own garments, which she loved to make for her family.
She married her husband, Joe, in 1944. They went on to have three children, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren together.
When Sadie lost her hearing, she attended a lip-reading class to better understand people. A carer at the Goldbridge care home said: "Although she found this new skill rather difficult at first, the class provided a valuable way for her to interact with others suffering from the same disability."
Hasib Khan, home manager at her care home, said: “Sadie is a lady of many talents. She has carried many of her hobbies into retirement, which is something we can all learn from.
"It is a pleasure to have Sadie at The Goldbridge and we can’t wait to celebrate her milestone birthday with her.
"We hope many people from the community will send in birthday cards for her, as we hope to display them around the home to make her feel extra special on her big day.”
If you would like to send a card to Sadie, address it to: The Goldbridge, 3 Kleinwort Close, Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH16 4XH.
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