by This story was first reported by the Barnabas Fund, 17th September 2019.
Barnabas Fund supporters from across the world sent blessings and good wishes to UK great-grandmother Marion Needham after hearing of her generosity towards suffering Christians as she celebrated her 100th birthday.
Marion from Leyland, Lancashire, asked for donations for Christian charities instead of gifts on her special day and raised an amazing £1,000, half of which she gave to Barnabas Fund to help our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world.
Marion said, “When you get to my age presents such as handkerchiefs and cardigans are no good to me as they would only end up in a drawer so it would be good to support causes close to my heart.”
Barnabas supporters from as far afield as Nigeria, the Middle East, Canada and Australia responded to Marion’s generosity when we shared news of her donation on Facebook, a post that received more than 330 likes. “A blessed birthday Marion. His beautiful blessings and joy,” said a message from Australia. Another from an Iranian in Canada read, “Happy birthday to you and may Lord Jesus Christ bless you.”
Marion, a mother-of-three with seven grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren, celebrated her birthday with a family meal, a big party at Leyland Pentecostal Church and a lunch hosted by Chorley Evangelical Free Church, where she regularly plays the piano at their services.
Marion, whose husband, Harold, died 47 years ago, also received a letter from the Queen, the Prime Minister and former Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Amber Rudd.