A former firefighter from Newcastle received hundreds of cards from well-wishers as he celebrated his 109th birthday following a touching appeal.
Joe Dixon, who is one of Britain's oldest men, marked his milestone birthday with a party at Scarborough Court care home in Cramlington on Saturday, October 1. Joe, who served for 50 years as a firefighter at Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS), was even visited by firefighters from TWFRS and Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service who joined in the celebrations.
In the run-up to his special day, care home staff asked people in the community to send Joe 109 cards to mark the milestone - and the great-granddad from Walker was left overwhelmed after receiving more than 400 cards.
READ MORE: Cramlington care home's touching appeal for cards for former chief fire officer's 109th birthday
Scarborough Court activity co-ordinator, Stacey Hunter, said: "Joe has been with us two years now. Turning 109 is fantastic and I decided to do an appeal for 109 cards for him.
"The support has been fantastic and we have received 411 cards. We had some cards made by the children at local schools and he had loads of presents.
"Joe is a very humble man who doesn't want any thanks for all the things he has done but he definitely deserves it. He really wants to thank everybody as he is very appreciative of everything."
Joe was born in 1913 and went on to become a firefighter, joining TWFRS in 1937 and working at Newcast Pilgrim Street fire station in Newcastle where he lived with his wife Lydia in the married quarters. During the Second World War, Joe served in RAF Bomber Command and returned to work as a firefighter when it ended.
He worked his way up to becoming chief fire officer before retiring in 1964.
Joe said: “I have always felt very important in my job. The fire and rescue service has always made me feel very important to them.
"One fond memory I have is on my 100th birthday, I had a visit from the chief fire officer and his crew to mark the celebration and they have visited me wherever I have lived on every birthday since."
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