Mary marks 100th birthday by raising funds for children’s cancer charity

​Rather than receive gifts from people, Mary decided she would prefer to receive donations in lieu which would then be used to help with a worthy charity.

Her chosen charity was the Cancer Fund For Children and the total amount raised was £1255.

Mary would like to personally thank family, friends, neighbours and Newry Methodist Church who all so generously made donations.

To receive her donation on behalf of the cancer charity, Mary was visited by her great, great nephew Tom Brown who when born spent his first four weeks in the Neo Natal Unit, Royal Maternity Hospital, Belfast where he was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma cancer and received six cycles of chemotherapy.

It was a real pleasure for Mary to meet and speak with Tom and to hand over her donation to this very worthy cause.

Mrs Bodel née Mary O'Hare is the the last surving member of a family of eleven who were brought up in Collins Row, Newry. In her early days Mary worked in the old Newry Laundry and before retiring she served as a canteen lady in Newry High School for 27 years.

Mary was delighted when she received her 100th birthday message from King Charles and Queen Camilla. This was made all the more special as it was delivered by local postman Marty McDonald whom she remembered as a young lad growing up in the street she had lived in.

To sum Mary up, you would describe her as a gentle, caring soul whom everyone loves and she would go out of her way to help anyone.