101-Year-Old Meets Santa for the First Time

A resident at a care home in Coningsby met Santa for the very first time thanks to volunteers at the Coningsby and Tattershall Lions Club saying, “I felt like a little girl again.”

Growing up in war times, 101-year-old, Gwen Chapman said, “We didn’t have much – I’d hang up my dad’s socks as Christmas stockings and wake up to a piece of coal and a bit of chocolate.”

Gwen, who was born in 1924, met her late husband, Eric in 1947 and went on to have four children, nine grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. She moved into Toray Pines care home in Coninsgby in March 2025.

Activities co-ordinator at Toray Pines, Sophie Lamming said, “Gwen and many residents didn’t experience Christmas and Santa the way we do, so we wanted to make it as magical as possible for her.”

Volunteers from the Coningsby and Tattershall Lions Club arrived at the care home with Santa and a sleigh full of gifts for the residents.

Sophie added, “We wanted to make Christmas extra special for all our residents – a visit from Santa on a sleigh felt like the perfect way to create lasting memories. “

It was Gwen’s wish to have her family together, she said, “It felt like I was a little girl again meeting Santa and it was lovely having my family all around.”

Sophie continued, “Gwen is such a warm and kind person. She’s always talked about her childhood Christmases, and we all know how much she loves animals and the simple things in life.

“When we spoke to the Lions Club about the idea of Santa and the elves visiting, we knew this would be an unforgettable experience for Gwen—and for all of our residents.

“It’s about giving them a piece of that childhood magic they deserve.”

Simon Burr, President of the Coningsby and Tattershall Lions Club commented,
“The lions were honoured to come and give this experience to Gwen and the other residents, we are always happy to bring the community together for times like this.”