A residential home in West Mersea has raised over £200 for charity after a tea party celebrated five residents’ birthdays in one go.

Margherita Petrie, 77, of Hall Barn Residential Complex organised the tea party in aid of the charity Smile, which supports surgery treating cleft lip in young children.

It was after Mrs Petrie realised that five residents – Margherita, Janet, Margaret, Joan, and Selma – all had birthdays within the space of six days.

The tea party itself raised £50, but Mrs Petrie has been busy collecting money from other events at Hall Barn, and has now put together £200 in the space of six weeks.

Gazette: The organiser of the tea party, Margherita Petrie, said the residents at Hall Barn Residential Complex were "old people going on young"The organiser of the tea party, Margherita Petrie, said the residents at Hall Barn Residential Complex were "old people going on young"

She said: “There are young children out there who can’t smile properly and it really breaks my heart.

“This charity touches my heart and I can’t not do something about it – I’m a Christian lady and I think we should share our blessings,” she added.

“If I was young enough, I would go out to volunteer and help these children – I would love to help with all these things but there’s only so much you can do.”

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The tea party itself, which took place last Friday, was attended by around 40 residents from Hall Barn Residential Complex, and was complete with musical classics from the 60s and 70s, as well as home-made bakes.

Mrs Petrie said: “It went very well – it raised £50 for Smile which the charity was thrilled with.

“In the last six weeks we’ve raised £200 from the residents here, which I think is very good because we’re all pensioners.”

It all adds to the bustling atmosphere at Hall Barn, where the residents enjoy coffee mornings each Friday and art classes on Thursday afternoons, amongst other activities.

“We’re old people going on young – it’s wonderful,” Mrs Petrie said.

“When we have our coffee mornings, we are laughing and talking and reminiscing – I’m loving it here

She added: “I couldn’t be happier. We all look out for each other – whenever someone needs help, somebody is there.”