A great-grandmother from Dorset is just about to celebrate her 25th birthday - despite being born in 1920.
Born on 29th February 1920, Hilary Don-Fox turns 100 on Saturday but, as a leap year baby, only gets to see her birthday once every four years.
While she may only be 25 on paper, Hilary has witnessed some great changes, seeing four monarchs and 18 prime ministers in charge of the country.
She thanks strong family ties for her long life and has some solid advice to younger generations - encouraging them ‘not to let anything stand in their way’.
Hilary said: “While some people worry about getting older, for me it’s a privilege as I’ve always been surrounded by family and friends.
“People often ask me about my secret for a long life, and I tell them it’s that family come first.
"Get that right and you’ll have enough support to weather anything life throws at you.”
While life has taken her as far afield as Cyprus, Palestine and the West Indies, today Hilary lives at Bupa’s Mellowes care home in Dorset, where the team are throwing a party to help her celebrate.
Over 30 family and friends will be attending, along with her two daughters, six grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and a great-great-grand niece.
Maureen Vickery, who manages the care home, said: “Hilary’s really popular within the home, but also hugely close to her family, so we wanted to do something to bring them all together.
“We’re going all out with a big cake and decorations.
"We rarely need an excuse for a party, but a 25th birthday isn’t something we get to celebrate every day.”
Born to Harry Trusted QC and wife Mary, Hilary lived briefly in Harrow on the Hill in north west London, though was raised in the West Indies from the age of five, as her father was a senior barrister sent to practice in the region.
After returning to England for school aged 12, Hilary attended school in Winchester.
Based in Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire, Hilary would get up at 6.30am each day to fetch and milk the cows. She also recalls how children from the local school used to come and help.
At its peak, the movement recruited over 80,000 of the so-called land girls. It played a huge role in supporting Britain’s war effort, and also in driving gender equality in a male-dominated Britain.
Drawing on this, Hilary reflects: “One thing I’ve learned over my years is that you have to believe in yourself, especially if you’re a woman.
“Don’t let people stand in your way - being a land girl taught me that.
"Of course, we never thought it at the time, we just got on with the job.
“Today I’ve got two wonderful daughters, as well grandchildren and great grandchildren and some of my fondest memories are watching them flourish.”
Later during the war, Hilary moved to Cyprus and then Palestine with her family, again for her father’s work. Looking back, she still has fond memories of the hot summers and horse riding in the Palestinian mountains.
Returning to England as a young adult, Hilary based herself in Weybridge, Surrey, where she took up a role teaching juniors at the Wallop Preparatory School.
Along with a friend, she also founded the Kennedy Club for teenagers with disabilities, where her son Charles – who had Down's Syndrome – attended to enjoy games and social activities.
The club ran for some 20 years, supporting local children and their families.
Hilary stayed in Surrey after her retirement, before moving to Dorset in 2010 to be nearer to family, whom she remains close with today.
Her daughter, Harriet Atwood, said: “She was always independent but as she got older, it just made sense to be nearer family.
"She’s in a home now, but everyone’s been very good to her.
"The party will be like celebrating with one big extended family.”
“I’ve been quite looking forward to my birthday and having everyone together. I’m not normally one for a fuss, but it’s not every day you turn 25.”
