A PENSIONER who has spent the last month recovering from Covid-19 had cause for an extra special celebration yesterday when she celebrated her 100th birthday.
Ethel Sinclair, who is originally from the Crumlin Road, marked the milestone with the help of friends and staff at Bradley Manor Nursing home in north Belfast where she lives.
The pensioner's family, who had not seen her since the home went into lockdown two months ago, gathered in the car park where they popped champagne in celebration.
Ethel, who received more than 100 cards and numerous bouquets of flowers, was brought outside for a time so she could wave at her family. She was also serenaded by a singer.
The celebration comes after the pensioner, a great-grandmother, was diagnosed with Covid-19 at the beginning of April.
With symptoms including a high temperature and a sore throat, Mrs Sinclair was cared for by the staff at Bradley Manor and has slowly recovered with their help.
Her granddaughter Ashleigh Fox, from Whitehead, said it was "so good" to finally get to see her.
"Today was a big day," she said.
"It was not as big as we would have liked it to be. We had planned afternoon tea at Belfast Castle with her family.
"They brought her up and family could go to the car park and see her. It was so good to see her in person.
"The care home has been great as they have allowed us to do Facetime and they have helped. To see her in person was a great relief in some ways. It wasn't the celebration she wanted but it was good to be able to do something."
