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A patient at Arrowe Park Hospital received a very wholesome birthday surprise. Staff on Ward 27 came together to mark the milestone 107th birthday.
Charles Martin, from the Wirral, celebrated the milestone on 23 July with staff, family, and patients, according to Birkenhead News. The ward team also decorated with balloons and a cake.
Charles was born on 23 July 1919 and is believed to be one of the oldest people in the region. He said he was overwhelmed by the kindness shown by staff.
He said: "It was wonderful that the hard-working staff on the ward came together to celebrate my birthday. I was shocked to see the fuss they made. It was so nice. They all work so hard, and it was very kind of them."
During the Second World War, Charles served in the Royal Air Force, where he learned to play baseball alongside his American counterparts. After the war, he became Dairy Manager at Swan Hill Dairy, a historic Wirral business that supplied milk to approximately 40,000 households.
He also played football at Anfield and Goodison Park in his younger years and played golf at the beloved Heswall Golf Club until 100.
Charles still enjoys doing his own shopping with support from his carers and keeps his mind active every day by completing crosswords and maths puzzles. When asked the secret to his long life, Charles simply said: "Sixty years of happy marriage."
As is tradition for people reaching such a milestone, Charles also received a congratulatory birthday card from Their Majesties The King and Queen.
Charles' son, Paul Martin, thanked the Ward 27 team for making the occasion so lovely. He said: "We are very appreciative of the efforts of the staff to celebrate Dad's birthday. It just shows the value of the NHS, where the staff go the extra mile to provide not just brilliant clinical care but celebrations like this."
Janelle Holmes, Chief Executive at Wirral University Teaching Hospital, said: "It was a privilege to celebrate Charles' incredible 107th birthday with him and his family. Charles has lived an extraordinary life, and it was wonderful to see our Ward 27 team come together to make his birthday so memorable."
