A Timperley woman selflessly devoted to helping others is celebrating her 100th birthday this Sunday with family and friends, writes Richard Craig.

Blanche Archer was born on March 2, 1915 in Dunham Massey, and spent her life helping people – whether it is elderly residents at Lyngarth House, Timperley, or prisoners of war during World War II.

Her grandson, David Pendlebury, 50 from Leicester, paid tribute to her tireless dedication to helping others.

“She was a member of the Royal Voluntary Service for over thirty years – she started with them while it was still the Woman’s RVS,” he explained.

“She still works on a Tuesday helping to prepare the lunches for old folks at Lyngarth. For the last three years the lady who brings the lunches has done it independently, but my grandmother still volunteers.

“During and after the war there were some German and Italian prisoners of war who were kept in Timperley, and she helped provide them with Sunday lunches as well.”

“She has worked at different nursing homes throughout her life. She says it is for all the old folks, but she is actually older than most of them!”

Blanche is a member of both the Timperley Conservative Club and the Altrincham Conservative and Social Club, and helps raise money for charitable projects through The 33 – the Timperley club’s fundraising group.

Her boundless altruism rightly earned her an Unsung Hero Award from Trafford Housing Trust and Long Service Award from the RVS.

When not helping others Blanche travelled extensively throughout the UK and Europe, finding Llandudno, Wales to be her favourite destination.

“It is flat and easy walking for her,” said David.

“She likes the Welsh coastline and the sunshine and the sand.”

David thanked her neighbours for caring for her while her four grandchildren – David, Catherine, Philip and Claire – are away.

“We come to visit her every week and take her out shopping, but in the meantime she has got very good neighbours who are very supportive and who help her,” he said.

David is amazed by his grandmother’s vigour, and her continuing desire to volunteer.

“She was around 90 when the doctor advised her to stop cycling her bike. She was cycling a bike to the nursing home to cook the meals for the old folks,” he said.

“She lives on her own and is completely independent. She is very exceptionally switched on,” he said.

“I’m fifty and she is always reminding me of everyone’s birthdays!”