Northampton man celebrates centenary of life by raising money for Breast Cancer UK in memory of beloved wife

What do you give a man who has lived a century? For World War II veteran, Don Bird, the perfect gift is a donation to Breast Cancer UK – in memory of the wife he lost to the disease four decades ago.

Described fondly by his youngest daughter as a “mini-David Attenborough” because of his love of wildlife, Don celebrated his centenary birthday on April 25. And coincidentally, legendary naturalist David Attenborough is set to turn 100 just days later, on 8th May.

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Born in the Midlands but now living in Long Buckby in Northamptonshire, he was born the same year the first transatlantic telephone call was made and when John Logie Baird demonstrated to his fellow scientists the first television.

Over the last half a century he has travelled extensively, experiencing different parts of the natural world with trips to Alaska, India and Africa – even encountering grizzly bears!

Asked to describe her dad, his daughter Ruth Freeborough, 62, smiled and said he’s a “very kind, charming, decent man” – evident in the number of people who attended an afternoon tea held on his birthday, when around 60 people came together to celebrate Don’s centenary.

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In lieu of presents, he asked guests to make a donation instead to Breast Cancer UK, of which he is a regular donor, or to Malawi-based charity Mbedza which his other daughter, Sue, 66, works for.

Rewind 80 years, 18-year-old Don was working in a bank in Loughborough. However, his new career was put on hold when he was called up to join the RAF as a trainee navigator. Fortunately, the war ended before he had fully qualified and he was soon able to return home.

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It was when he returned to the bank in Loughborough that he met June, who he went on to marry and have his two daughters. The family moved to Long Buckby where the couple brought up their girls and “life was good”. Then, aged just 52, June was diagnosed with breast cancer.

His daughter Ruth, former Chair of the Board of Trustees at Breast Cancer UK, said: “We’re going back 40-plus years, when they had no idea about breast cancer and the treatments that we have available now. The doctors found a small lump, and it was removed and she had radiotherapy. Then within two years she passed away. Who knows if she would have survived if she’d received the same diagnosis today.”

Ruth was just 19 when her mum died, at the age of 54.

Ruth added: “It tore our family apart. In those days it was different. My dad was the breadwinner, and my mum was the person who stayed at home looking after us all. So, you suddenly lose that stability in the home. She was the glue that held us all together, and when she passed away, it completely changed the dynamics of our family. It took us a while to recover from that and to find a new norm; to find a new way of being, where she wasn’t in it.”

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Shortly after June’s death, Don retired from his job as a bank manager. Recalling a recent conversation with her dad, he shared with her that it took about three years until it really sunk in that his beloved wife June had gone forever. It was then that he made the decision to, in his own words, “get busy living” and his passion for travel and wildlife flourished.

Along with volunteering at a local hospice, which he did for 20 years, it was on one of his many adventures that Don was seated next to his now partner Karin on a flight from Johannesburg to Cape Town. At first a long-distance relationship, Karin has since moved to the UK and is now Don’s full-time carer, living with him in the family home in Long Buckby.

Ruth said: “He’s just come full circle in his life, and he’s found happiness again with Karin. They’re very content with each other and he’s just so happy now. He’s at peace with himself.”

With his adventures now more limited, he still satisfies his love of wildlife by watching David Attenborough documentaries along with being an avid sports fan – especially his childhood team Derby County.

Don was delighted to recieve his 100th birthday card from the King – remarkably the fifth monarch to be crowned in his lifetime – and said if he went back and spoke to his 18-year-old self, he would say “no regrets”.

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He added: “I have travelled extensively and seen many beautiful sights. I am fortunate enough to recall them all and reminisce with fondness each encounter. But meeting and marrying June was my greatest achievement, without a doubt.”