A local hero was left overwhelmed as the Southport community transformed a 100th birthday appeal into a massive global celebration.
Stan Woolley, a former Royal Marine who served his country through World War II, celebrated his centenary at Ivy Gate Lodge Care Home on Saturday, March 7th, surrounded by a staggering 600 birthday cards and a literal parade of well-wishers.
What started as a modest request by care home staff to collect 100 cards for 100 years quickly snowballed into a viral movement.
Cards flooded in from as far away as Canada and New Zealand, but the show-stopper was a personal message from King Charles III and Queen Camilla, read aloud to the decorated veteran by Southport Town Crier Kevin Ruane MBE.
“We are overjoyed at the huge support and kindness from so many people,” said Stan’s niece, Jackie Ryan.
“To go in and see so many birthday cards is wonderful.
‘They’re all hanging up along the ceiling, on the walls, there are so many of them! It has given him a real boost.”
A Hero’s Welcome
The guest list for the day was full of regional prestige and military honour.
High-ranking officials, including the Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside Peter Oliver OBE, joined forces with the Royal Marines Association City of Liverpool and serving personnel to pay their respects to the man who joined the Corps back in 1940.
The celebration saw the local community show its true colours. From the children at Kinder World Nursery and Stanley High School to representatives from Southport FC and Liverpool FC, everyone wanted a piece of Stan’s big day.
“We can’t believe the turnout, it really was amazing,” a spokesperson for Ivy Gate Lodge commented.
“Stan has thoroughly enjoyed himself. We are currently gathering the grand total of cards soon, make sure you follow us to keep updated.”
A Life of Incredible Service
Stan was one of five brothers who fought during WWII, a family sacrifice that saw four return but tragically claimed the life of his eldest brother, Raymond, in 1941.
Another brother was captured during the fall of Hong Kong and spent the rest of the war in a Japanese POW camp, while two others served in the RAF.
After his service on the aircraft carrier Theseus, Stan’s journey took him to the Palestine Police and eventually into a high-flying career as the Managing Director of a specialist luxury printing firm in London that worked for the Palace.
Rave Lawson at Ivy Gate Lodge Care Home, who started the appeal through Stand Up For Southport, was stunned by the response:
“Ivy Gate Lodge, Stan and his family are so overwhelmed with the HUGE amount of cards we have received!
“Initially, our project was to collect 100 cards for Stan, we received over 600 and we haven’t counted them all yet.
“We would like to thank the whole of the Southport community and the whole of the UK plus people in other parts of the world for your true kindness towards Stan.
“This is such an amazing thing that we have done together.”
