A centenarian living in a care home was flooded with 232 birthday messages to celebrate her landmark occasion.

Joan Haslam, who lives at MHA The Homestead in Carterton, marked her centenary on April 21 following the home’s call for messages.

Staff had set out to gather 100 cards for Joan’s celebration, but the final tally surpassed their goal by over twice that amount.

Messages came from across the community, encompassing schools, nurseries, other residents, staff, and family members.

Deputy manager Verity Perkins stated the team was thrilled for Joan, adding that receiving so many cards was truly wonderful.

She noted the community’s reaction to their appeal had been extraordinary and thanked everyone involved wholeheartedly.

Among the collection was a telegram from the King, alongside a card from Blenkley Park, where Joan worked during the Second World War.

She commemorated the day with her three children, David, John, and Trish, along with their families in a lounge decorated with balloons and streamers.

The care home arranged a private gathering and refreshments for the relatives.

Ms Perkins indicated Joan managed to open roughly 150 cards before tiredness overcame her, with the King’s telegram standing out as her most treasured piece of correspondence.

She went on to say that without doubt, her favourite was the telegram from the King, which she kept returning to and holding close for quite some time.

Joan’s relatives also thanked the home for its efforts in making the day so memorable.

MHA The Homestead provides residential and dementia care for 68 residents.