Heart-warming story of how these Sheffield residents are making sure an elderly neighbour still gets to celebrate his 90th birthday while in lockdown

As the coronavirus pandemic unfolds, people are being encouraged to stay home, self-isolate and continue social distancing practices. However, residents living on Lemont Road, Totley, Sheffield, had planned one of the most unusual parties.

Dennis Richmond celebrated his 90th birthday party on Monday, March 30, at 3pm on the street which he has lived on since 1965. The members of Lemont Road stuck to their promise and celebrated as safely as possible from the comfort of their own doorsteps.

The strange party was largely planned by Mr. Richmond’s two next-door neighours Kate Allatt, and Ellie Phillips, who both only moved to the street last year. They set up a community support group on Whatsapp when they first moved in and used the same group to plan a ‘safe party’ for Mr. Richmond.

Ellie said: “In our group chat, Dennis sounded really fed up saying, ‘I’m going to be all on my own on my 90th’. We all decided to come up with suggestions to cheer him up and I thought toasting him outside our houses and singing Happy Birthday would be a good idea.

“Everyone chipped in their ideas – we all got really into it. Most people on the street contributed to making a happy birthday video message for him to wake up to. We all feel better after the party. I think it was an incredibly kind act from everyone in the community highlighting just how friendly the street is.

“I came up with the idea of throwing the birthday party for him, but this wouldn’t of been possible without Kate who was a brilliant motivator as well as everyone across the street who joined in.”

The celebrations included home grown music with a band at one end of the street and an accordian playing at the other end. The children living on the road planned to create colourful posters to be displayed in their windows and many cakes were baked and enjoyed.

Fellow organiser Kate said: " At least 70% of the street came out and focussed their attention on him, everyone present toasted to him from their own doorsteps and front gardens.

"Kids up and down the street had placed banners in their windows for him and there was music being played across the street. That said, it went really well. Dennis was really chuffed about the community coming together to celebrate his birthday with him."

Widower Dennis said: “I still can’t believe this happened on this street – all these birthday celebrations for humble old me. After all, I’m just a sprightly 90, not 100. No doubt we will be able to celebrate in a more traditional manner when Boris gives his approval of the cessation of the siege.

On that blessed day, hugs and kisses will be accepted!”