Turning 40 is a momentous milestone, and one Co Tyrone woman is on a mission to make it extra special for her beloved brother.
Adele Crawford's brother Jonathan, from Clogher, turns 40 on September 25 and she is asking her friends and the wider public to get involved to make it one to remember for him.
Describing Jonathan as 'a wee darling' and a 'super wee brother', Adele says he loves getting mail in the post and so is asking for people to send him a card so he can open a different card every day in the run-up to his big day.
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Writing on Facebook, Adele said: "Many of you know that I have a wee brother. Our Jonathan will be 40 years old on the 25th of September 2022. Johnny also happens to have Down's Syndrome. When he was born, way back in those days, the doctor's prognosis was that he would be "like a rag doll" and wouldn't have much quality of life.
"Johnny is a wee darling. Always happy, tells you a hundred things despite being mainly non-verbal and is a super wee brother.
"But I am looking for you to help me by sending him a birthday card for his big milestone. Why is this a big deal? He loves getting things in the post (old-fashioned snail mail) and I will be sending him 40 birthday cards between the 10th of August and the 25th of September just to give him the pleasure of opening a different card every day.
"I'd love it if you would consider sending him a card for his big day any time between the 10th of August and 25th of September which is his actual birthday."
Adele's post has taken off on the social media platform and she told Belfast Live she has been 'overwhelmed' by the response.
She said: "I can't believe it's taken off like this but I'm so delighted by people's kindness. Johnny will be opening cards from now to Christmas at this rate."
If you would like to send Jonathan a card you can send it to:
Jonathan Crawford
34 Skelgagh Road
Clogher
Co. Tyrone,
N.Ireland
BT76 0UF.
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