Winnie's 100th Birthday Surprise | Social media goodness

Many believe that the meaning of ‘community’ is slowly disappearing, especially in an age where the majority of people live through the screens of their phones and computers. Gone are the days that you know your neighbours well enough to pop round to their house for a cup of sugar or to have a gossip over the garden fence. So when BBC Radio Sheffield launched a campaign for help on Facebook, they were overwhelmed with how their online 'community' had rallied round in the thousands. 

The team at BBC Radio Sheffield, located at 54 Shoreham Street, decided to organise a surprise for 99 year old Winnie. Using the social media platform, they reached out to their audience of 10,000 followers and asked for help in making Winnie’s landmark birthday really special, suggesting that those wanting to get involved could send cards and letters to the studio before the end of the month. 

Winnie doesn’t have family and has barely any contact with the outside world, so even she wouldn’t have been prepared for what was to happen next. Within two days the radio station was inundated with messages, cards, letters and the Facebook post had been seen by over 3 million people.  

Because of the campaign’s success, the team are now throwing a huge birthday bash for Winnie to present her with all of the kind gestures from people all over the UK and a far. 

You can read regular updates from BBC Radio Sheffield and even watch a video of the birthday girl being told about the fabulous responses she’s received, by clicking HERE. 

[Source: BBC Radio Sheffield]

Happy Birthday Winnie, I hope you enjoy the card I have sent to you too.