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'Incredible' response for woman's 104th birthday

St Mark’s Bupa Care Home Hilda Bond smiling at the camera, she appears to be in the care home as there are other elderly residents around her. She is wearing a purple jumper with a pink beaded necklace around her neck. Her hair has been styled and lays flat and she has a fringeSt Mark’s Bupa Care Home
Hilda Bond, lives at St Mark’s Care Home in Maidenhead

A care home resident has been showered with cards and flowers ahead of her 104th birthday.

Hilda Bond lives at St Mark’s Care Home in Maidenhead where staff appealed to the community for cards to mark her big day on Saturday.

The Bupa home will host a garden party for Mrs Bond with a live singer and her favourite Victoria sponge cake.

When asked what her secret was for living a long and happy life, she said: "Just take one day at a time... don't put yourself down all the time, be happy."

Hilda Bond A black and white photograph of Mrs Bond when she was younger. She is wearing a high neck blouse with a square pattern print on it. She is smiling and glancing at the camera with her hair down but styled into positionHilda Bond
Hilda is one of seven children born into a farming family in Hampshire

Of her birthday, she joked: "Goodness knows what the day will be like, I think I'll have a day in bed and lock the door."

Mrs Bond is one of seven children born into a farming family in Hampshire.

She worked on Slough Trading Estate during the war for a zip factory, and when her partner returned from the war, they got married and had two sons.

Hilda Bond A black and white photograph of Mrs Bond and her husband stood outside a church on their wedding day. Hilda is in a traditional white bridal dress holding a bouquet of flowers and her husband is wearing military uniformHilda Bond
Hilda married after her partner returned from the war and they had two sons

"Hilda is such a wonderful, incredible lady, she's always got such a wonderful smile and always looks very glamorous," said Kirstie Hanson, activities co-ordinator at St Mark’s Care Home.

"Every birthday and every milestone should be celebrated, so Hilda turning 104 is just so special."

Mrs Bond has been sent almost 400 cards from well-wishers.

When talking about the community response to the birthday, Ms Hanson said it had been "absolutely incredible".

"We've had cards from local schools, local community groups, neighbours - it's just been amazing so we want to say thank you to everyone that has sent cards and flowers," she said.

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