Local WWII Veteran Celebrates 100th Birthday with 1,499 Cards from the Community!

Residents, families and staff at Ivy Gate Lodge recently came together for a truly unforgettable celebration as local WWII veteran and ex Royal Marine Stanley Woolley marked his 100th birthday. What began as a simple idea soon turned into a remarkable community tribute that nobody could have predicted.

In the weeks leading up to Stan’s special day, our team at Ivy Gate Lodge hoped to collect 100 birthday cards to honour his milestone. After a mention on BBC Radio Merseyside and Mighty Radio, along with messages shared across social media, the story quickly captured the hearts of people across Southport and beyond. By the time the big day arrived, Stan had received an incredible 1,499 birthday cards. Each one was a message of thanks, admiration and warm wishes for a man whose life has spanned a century of history.

To celebrate the occasion, we hosted a wonderful birthday party with 98 guests joining the festivities. The home was filled with laughter and a strong sense of community as family, friends, residents, staff and members of the local area gathered to honour Stan.

Among the visitors were ex-veterans and serving military personnel who came to show their respect. The celebration was also attended by a number of local figures, including Serena Silcock Prince, President of the Royal British Legion Southport, Andrew Brown from Stand Up for Southport, Peter Oliver OBE HM Lord Lieutenant, Sean Connolly from Mighty Radio and local singer Rachel Rose, who gave us some brilliant live entertainment. Support also came from Southport Hesketh Round Table 1199, with Marc Foreman attending the special event.

Our local schools played a lovely part in the celebrations during the week leading up to Stan’s birthday. Pupils and staff from Stanley High School, Meols Cop High School, Kinder World Nursery and Southport College visited Ivy Gate Lodge to meet Stan, bringing gifts, handmade cards, and warm birthday wishes that made Stan feel truly valued.

The generosity of local businesses also helped make the day extra special. Grill House Shawarma kindly donated pizzas for the party, while Co op presented Stan with a thoughtful hamper to mark the occasion.

Stan’s niece, Jackie Ryan, shared her appreciation following the celebration. She said the family had been overwhelmed by the kindness shown to Stan and could not have hoped for a better turnout. She also thanked the team at Ivy Gate Lodge for everything they had done to make the day so memorable.

Amy Nwanorue, our home manager at Ivy Gate Lodge, reflected on the celebration with pride. She said: "We couldn't have asked for a better celebration for this true gentleman. The support for Stan has been unreal. We really didn't expect it to get as big as it has. Seeing all the local veterans and community members celebrate with him was simply incredible. Thank you to everyone who sent cards, presents, and joined us to make Stan’s 100th birthday truly unforgettable."

Stan’s 100th birthday was not only a celebration of a remarkable life of service and courage, but also a beautiful reminder of the strength of community spirit in Southport. For everyone at Ivy Gate Lodge, it was a privilege to be part of such a meaningful moment.

If you would like to learn more about the welcoming community at Ivy Gate Lodge or arrange a visit to see the home for yourself, our team would be delighted to hear from you.