Date: 06/02/2012. Story submitted by: CarolineMc

A Woodhouse resident has celebrated her 80th birthday by giving not receiving presents.

Betty Sharpe, who turned 80 in January, invited friends and relatives to her home at the Brunswick Gardens Retirement Village to celebrate her special day.

Betty stipulated that she preferred presence not presents but added guests could make a donation to chosen charity Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice if they wished.

Guests dug deep and managed to raise a massive £520 for the charity.

Added to this, Betty’s son David Waller and his colleague Janice Wright both work for Aviva whose chosen charity is also Bluebell Wood. Each of the employees helped Betty to organise her party and were therefore eligible to claim £250 each from Aviva pushing Betty’s birthday total to £1,020.

Gail Parkin accepted the first £500 of the money raised on behalf of Bluebell Wood, who work with sick children.


(Left to Right) Joyce Loveday (Long time friend of Betty and fellow resident) Betty Sharpe, Gail Parkin, Jackie Sands (Betty's Daughter-in-Law) & David Waller (Betty's Son) Photo: Peter Wolstenholme Brunswich Gardens volunteer photographer