A BARROW woman has reached the remarkable age of 107 - claiming a glass of sherry a day has helped her get there.

Annie Reader, who now lives at Wilhelmina House care home in Park Hill, Croydon, was joined by her family, friends and staff to celebrate the amazing milestone birthday with a large cake and balloons on July 23.

She grew up in Barrow before marrying merchant seaman Stan who swept her off her feet while ballroom dancing.

Despite Annie’s remarkable age, she still likes to be active joining in with exercise sessions and being wheeled around the home’s beautiful, landscaped grounds.

Annie’s life has seen her go on many adventures to far flung countries visiting her son in all the places where he was a diplomat such as Nepal, Swaziland, Egypt, and Cambodia to name a few.

A daredevil at heart, Annie braved a microlight ride at the age of 89.

She has also survived two world wars and two pandemics – the Spanish flu and Covid-19.

The couple survived both wars with Stan being captured when his ship sunk in World War II and he remained a prisoner of war in Japan for three years.

Annie recalls the family home being bombed and seeing her father being covered from head to toe in soot.

Annie’s son David referred to her as an “amazing lady”, with all of the family lovingly calling her Nana. He said: “She is an amazing lady and the whole family are very proud of Nana. She has always gone out of her way to help all the family including her grandchildren who she has helped to bring up.”

Deborah Pearson, home manager, Wilhelmina House, said: “We are incredibly honoured to have been part of Annie’s milestone birthday celebrations.

“My team ensured that Annie was given a day to remember and the whole home sang ‘happy birthday’ to her. It was lovely to see her with a big smile on her face.”

Dawn Rule, wellbeing and leisure co-ordinator at Wilhelmina House, said: “Annie is amazing for her age. She is a much loved resident at the home and we have thoroughly enjoyed celebrating her grand age of 107 with her family.”

Wilhelmina House is a purpose built residential home in leafy Park Hill. Home to 25 residents, Wilhelmina offers modern living in a relaxed setting with personalised care alongside short term respite.

While the different services they offer are as varied as the people they look after, they’re all guided by a single approach, focused on giving people the choice to live their lives to the full, from the day they join.