A Scots centenarian is set to party on a boogie bus after spending her 100th birthday alone in lockdown.
Edna Clayton didn't even receive her card from the Queen last January due to an error which meant the Glasgow pensioner wasn't on the system.
After hearing the news Hector House Care Home, where Edna is a resident, launched an appeal for locals to send cards ahead of her 101st birthday this month in a bid to make this year's celebrations extra special.
Angela Todd, manager at the care home, says her request has since gone viral on social media leaving the OAP "overwhelmed".
Edna - who says she's never had a birthday party - is now set to mark the milestone on January 31 with a complimentary boogie bus tour around her old hometown.
Angela told the Record: "Edna came in to the care home in August 2021 and we noticed her date of birth straight away. We were all excited to be getting a 100-year-old in.
"One of the first things I asked her was about what she did for her birthday - but she said she did nothing.
"Her neighbours did a whip round and got her a new television but she couldn't go out because we were in lockdown.
"She's not got any family, other than her son who is in sheltered accommodation and has Down's Syndrome.
"Coming up for her birthday I just thought, this is awful. This poor woman sat on her 100th birthday on her own, with nothing except a wee card through the door from the neighbours.
"The community here are wonderful so I thought I'd put a wee post on Facebook to see if any locals would be up for putting a wee card through the door - and it just went viral."
Floods of cards and presents have been coming through the door since Angela launched the appeal at the weekend.
She said: "At first I was going to make this all a surprise but I've now had to make her aware of it.
"We've been inundated with, not just cards, but flowers and everything - so we sat her down and told her.
"She's absolutely overwhelmed. She says she's never had a party in her life and she's never really celebrated her birthday. She's over the moon."
Edna, originally from Anderston, lived in Battlefield in the south side of the city for decades.
The pensioner was a full time carer to her son, James, to whom she has dedicated her life.
She was a popular figure in the community and prior to lockdown was often seen with James shopping or heading to the local library.
Angela said: "She always tells us that she has had no help in all her days, bringing up her boy. The husband passed away around 40 years ago, so she's done it all herself.
"She is very well-known in the Battlefield area, she was known to be in the Co-op every day and in the library borrowing books.
"But after being forced to stay at home in lockdown she lost that routine and independence - and the result was she had to come into care.
"James is now almost 60 and he had to go into sheltered accommodation, so she couldn't see him all that time. It's just been a horrible time for her."
Edna has never let her age hold her back and she says the secret to long life is to always stay positive.
"When you ask her how she got to that age she just says she never worries, never lets life get her down and always has a smile", Angela explained.
"Edna is very appreciative of everything you do. She is very fun and physically, she's very fit.
"At Halloween she dressed up as Minnie Mouse and when we have the Scottish Ballet in she's up dancing."
Following the appeal, local business Rockstar Party Bus got in touch to offer their services and give Edna a birthday to remember.
The care home plan to take her out on the big day with some of the residents to do a tour of her old stomping ground - and they are arranging for her to finally receive her card from the Queen.
Angela said: "The bus will be right up Edna's street. She'll love the bright lights and the music.
"We're just going to go out for a wee half hour around Battlefield, where she lived, with a few residents.
"Then we're going to have a wee tea party - because she just loves cake. Seemingly she lived on cake in the house!
"I just don't think that anywhere you will find a 101 year old going out on a boogie bus."
She added: "We asked about her card from the Queen and she said she never got it, so I've spoken to Buckingham Palace and they said they don't know why she didn't receive it.
"But the guy is trying to sort it for her so I'm just hoping to God we can get her that card before her birthday.
"Edna's mum had 12 sisters and her and James are the last surviving members of that family.
"She doesn't really have anybody, and I just thought that was horrible - but since the appeal the amount of cards that have come through the door is overwhelming.
"One of them simply said, 'from a friend who I haven't met yet'.
"I thought that was so nice, there was no name on it - they just wanted her to know they were thinking of her."
If you wish to send Edna a birthday card, address to Mrs Edna Clayton, Hector House, 2 Hector Road, G41 3RL - or pop one through the door at the care home.
