Great-grandmother, Hilary Don-Fox celebrated her 25th birthday, despite being 100 years old last weekend. Don’t worry, we haven’t lost the plot.
Hilary was born on February 29, 1920 and as a leap baby, the Dorset resident only gets to see her birthday every four years.
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Speaking about her huge milestone age, Hilary said: “While some people worry about getting older, for me it’s a privilege as I’ve always been surrounded by family and friends.
“People often ask me about my secret for a long life, and I tell them it’s that family come first.
"Get that right and you’ll have enough support to weather anything life throws at you.”
During her, ahem, 25 years on the planet, Hilary has lived through four British monarchs, 18 Prime Ministers and has travelled all over the world – including Cyprus, Palestine and the West Indies, where she lived for a small period of time from the age of five years old, due to her father’s job as a senior barrister.
Today, Hilary lives at Bupa’s Mellowes care home, where over 30 family and friends will be joining her for a mega birthday party. She will momentously be joined by her two daughters, six grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and a great-great-grand niece.
Maureen Vickery, who manages the care home, said: “Hilary’s really popular within the home, but also hugely close to her family, so we wanted to do something to bring them all together.
“We’re going all out with a big cake and decorations.
"We rarely need an excuse for a party, but a 25th birthday isn’t something we get to celebrate every day.”
Drawing on her experiences over the years, Hilary reflects: “One thing I’ve learned over my years is that you have to believe in yourself, especially if you’re a woman.
“Don’t let people stand in your way - being a land girl taught me that.
"Of course, we never thought it at the time, we just got on with the job.
“Today I’ve got two wonderful daughters, as well grandchildren and great grandchildren and some of my fondest memories are watching them flourish.”
Speaking about her mother living in a care home, Hilary’s daughter Harriet Atwood, gushes: “She was always independent but as she got older, it just made sense to be nearer family.
"She’s in a home now, but everyone’s been very good to her."