Joan Hillman, a 101-year-old from Lyndhurst in Hampshire, received hundreds of birthday cards after her nursing home organised a campaign to mark her birthday. The home had expected 101 cards, but schools, scouting groups, local businesses, care homes and others sent messages after learning about the initiative. Hillman had received written congratulations from King Charles when she turned 100, but was not due to receive them again until her 105th birthday.

An invitation was mistakenly sent to Patrick Ward, the mayor of Lyndhurst, Ohio, rather than to the mayor of the English town. Ward responded with a card praising Hillman’s long and active life and saying that he would have liked to deliver it personally, but could not justify the travel cost. Hillman said she was overwhelmed by the attention and attributed her longevity to good luck.