Education, Ferndown, Health & Lifestyle | Posted on June 13th, 2024 | return to news
Ferndown man receives 382 birthday cards
An appeal for 102 cards for Stan Chapman’s 102nd birthday led to him receiving 382 cards, thanks to effort from Ferndown pupils.
A care home resident received 382 cards for his 102nd birthday thanks to the efforts of children from schools in Ferndown.
Sprightly Stan Chapman, who completes a cryptic crossword each morning, said he was ‘overwhelmed’ by the number of birthday good wishes.
When children at Ferndown Middle School, across the road from his King’s Park care home, were told about an appeal for 102 cards for Stan’s 102nd birthday they wanted to help and began creating.
The cards were then delivered to the centenarian along with some from other schools including Ferndown First School.
Stan, who was a navigator in the RAF during the war and worked for the Post Office then BT afterwards, has one son, two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
He said: “I was completely overwhelmed. I was so glad to get them – it was the most cards I’ve ever received for my birthday.”
His wife Anne died aged 86 and he puts the secret of his old age down to ‘everything in moderation’.
Pupils from Ferndown Middle School and their headteacher Amber Barter went to visit Stan after his birthday celebrations.
He told them about his life and the youngsters looked through a photo album of old pictures.
Headteacher Amber said: “When we heard about the appeal we really wanted to help and when we told the children they got going at once.
“Stan has become a bit of a celebrity at the school and they really enjoyed making his cards.
“Those who went to visit him enjoyed hearing him talk of his life and said they’d make him cards next year as well.”
Jenna May, manager of the care home, said: “Stan is one of our most popular residents and one of our most active.
“He is the first person I see when I come in each morning and he reads his newspaper and does puzzles including sudokus on his iPad.
“We’re very lucky to have him and staff were keen to help him mark his birthday by trying to get 102 cards sent.
“In the end we had nearly four times as many.”
Both Ferndown schools belong to the Castleman Academy Trust. Children from Wimborne St Giles School also sent cards to Stan.
Rhonda Moore, CEO of the Castleman Trust, said: “What a great way of learning about history.
“These sorts of things live with children a long time – and hopefully they’ll remember Stan when they’re his age.”
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