THE Melksham community recently came together to organise a special surprise for a local man celebrating his 100th birthday.
After learning that customer Jack West had no family to give him a birthday card, owner of Griff’s barbershop, Graham Griffiths, took to Facebook and asked the community to send in cards for the special day.
The people of Melksham soon responded and Graham was inundated, collecting almost 100 cards for Jack. A cake complete with a icing figure of Jack riding his mobility scooter was also donated by local Ali Wilton.
Jack said, “I would like to thank everyone that sent cards and best wishes on the occasion of my 100th birthday. I was overwhelmed by their kindness.”
In the build up to the surprise Graham said, “Thanks all, he’s a very modest bloke, hope he likes it! What a town we live in where people are only too glad to show they care. He will hopefully be overwhelmed, bless him!! The cake is looking awesome.”
On the day of Jack’s 100th birthday, Graham visited the birthday boy at home to surprise him with the cards, cake and some balloons. Graham said, “Absolutely buzzing that he got nearly 100 cards from all over the place and from strangers around Melksham. It goes to show that people aren’t all bad after all!
“I was nervous about taking all the cards and gifts round as he is quite a quiet chap, never asks for a thing, but I’m pleased to say he was made up!
“Thank you again to Ali Wilton for the amazing cake and to each and every one of you who took time to pop him in a card to make it a special day for him.”
Graham filmed the surprise so people who contributed could see Jack’s reaction, who seemed particularly pleased with Graham’s gift of a £10 voucher for Greggs.
The video posted to Graham’s Facebook page has so far been viewed by nearly 700,000 people.
