Grandson flies 6,000 miles to surprise grandmother on her 100th birthday

A grandmother was given a real surprise when her grandson flew back from Hong Kong to Islington to celebrate her 100th birthday – after not seeing her in more than 10 years.

Ada Whatling turned 100 in style at the start of April, when her Bridgeside Lodge care home in Wharf Road threw her a surprise birthday party – marking her century with family, friends, and Labour candidate for Islington South Emily Thornberry.

“Not only has she turned 100 but they’ve managed to find her grandson, which is just wonderful.

“She lost contact with her grandson when her son died. He was living in Hong Kong and he saw his grandmother on a blog post coming out of a canal festival last year and so got in touch and they arranged for him to come over as a surprise.

“She didn’t have any other family there other than her grandson so that makes it much more important.

“She was very emotional and very tearful but they were tears of joy. She actually appreciated it and was very excited. She’s a very happy person.”

“The day was amazing and everybody enjoyed it. Her grandson being there made Ada’s day.”