Carer’s plea as Wigan pensioner set to celebrate 100th birthday

Born and bred Wiganer Frances Naylor will celebrate her birthday next Tuesday (February 23) in the middle of lockdown.

Ahead of the celebration, 44-year-old Tracy Brogan, who looks after Frances, put out a message on Facebook encouraging people to get her a card.

A flurry of cards have already been handed in from friends and family, but also others in the community such as schools and the church.

Some 150 cards have been given for Tracy to deliver to Frances, who is currently staying at the Aarondale care home in Coppull.

Up until three weeks ago, Frances had been living on her own in Beech Hill.

Tracy, from Springfield, who is a home carer at Ella UK said: “I’ve been her home carer for the last 14 months.

“I’ll do breakfast for her and wash her and do shopping and things like that.

“Because of everything going on with Covid, I wanted to make it special.

“All year I’ve been saying to Frances that I bet I can get her 100 birthday cards and I’ve managed to do more than this.

“The local schools have also got involved, Sacred Heart Primary School and St Catherine’s, while St Anne’s Church in Beech Hill have also.

“One young lady has even done me a birthday cake free of charge for Frances.”

Born in 1921, Tracy said Frances grew up in Springfield and Beech Hill.

She worked at the Springfield pub where she was brought up as a child.

During the second world war, Frances made munitions in her back garden.

Tracy said: “Frances is a good friend and she’s really an amazing and wonderful person.

“It’s good to see all the community get involved. She is so popular and well loved by everyone.

“This is such a nice thing and something positive to do with all the negative stuff that’s going on at the moment.”

A special birthday party to mark the century has been organised for Frances at her care home on February 23.

To join in Frances’ birthday cedlebrations, send a card to Ella UK, Office 15, Hewitt House, Winstanley Road, Orrell.

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