BIRTHDAY girl Linda Vijeh, from Combe St Nicholas, celebrated her 60th with six parties over one weekend. And instead of gifts she asked people to dig deep in their pockets for six charities.

The breast cancer survivor did not think she would still be alive ten years ago and said she had never been a fan of the traditional ‘big bash’ but wanted to show her appreciation to her friends.

She said: “Having lived abroad much of my adult life, I am fortunate enough to have friends from across the world.

“With this is mind, I decided to host six events for six of my favourite charities all in the space of a weekend, giving as many as possible the chance to take part.

“Each event was very different, low key, casual and involved minimum expenditure and effort.”

A quiz in aid of the Samaritans kick-started the weekend and hot on its heels came a screening of the 1954 Oscar-winning film On the Waterfront in aid of the Ilminster Entertainments Society, followed by a one-course supper at Sweet Surprise to raise money for a new kitchen workshop.

A full cooked breakfast with items given by Bonners was next on the menu to raise money for Ilminster Food Bank.

A mulled wine and music event was held to support Chard Museum and the weekend was rounded off with a cream tea at The Shrubbery with money donated ensuring the Rotary Club of Ilminster could sponsor an additional youngster on its Youth Leadership course.

Linda added: “Attended by 260 people from as far afield as France, Chicago and New York, during three exhausting days, we managed to raise £1,300.

“What marked the occasion as something special, however, was the generosity of people both in terms of time and money.

This was the best birthday anyone could wish for.

“Not all of us are wealthy but there are many ways in which we can contribute towards making our local community a better place for us all.”