A tenant from an Anchor retirement property in Penge has held his birthday party on a national awareness day celebrating the achievements of older people.
Frank Popham, who has lived at Anchor’s Tony Law House for 15 years, celebrated his 92nd birthday on 3 October to coincide with International Older People’s Day.
Older people from the retirement property in Anerley Road also used the occasion to collect signatures for Anchor’s Grey Pride petition which is calling for a Minister for Older People.
Scheme Manager Michelle Jackson said: “We know the older people we work with had and continue to have a positive impact on community life in Penge.
“We were therefore keen to mark International Older People’s Day which is a celebration of the achievements and contributions that older people make to society.”
Michelle added that the party was also the perfect occasion to boost the number of signatures on the Grey Pride petition.
She said: “There is a Minister for Women and a Minister of State for Children and Families, but as it stands, no one individual is responsible for ensuring older people’s issues are given the priority they deserve.
“Anchor has got more than 80,000 signatures so far but we need 100,000 so that it’s more likely the campaign will be discussed in the House of Commons.
Frank said: “I’m pleased to use my birthday to promote the Grey Pride campaign because I feel older people should have a say and be heard.”
To find out more about Grey Pride and the organisations supporting us in our call for a Minister for Older People, visit our campaign website.
