101-year-old Dora meets great-great grandson for first time

Dora Green, who lives in Tettenhall, was unable to leave home and had to avoid contact with others due to being at a higher risk from the virus.

But now, following the change in Government guidance due to infection rates falling, she has been able to see her newest family members.

And she will now be able to meet up with others outdoors with up to five others and form a “support bubble” with other households.

The change has led to her having her first socially-distanced meeting with her two-week-old grandson Thomas Joe – with five generations of her family coming together for the special moment.

The 101-year-old said: “I’ve only ever been kept in the house by three things in my life; snow, World War Two and coronovirus.”

Dora, her 75-year-old daughter Rosemarie, 54-year-old granddaughter Julie, 28-year-old great-grandson Joe and great-great-grandson Thomas celebrated the special occasion.

Julie said: “It was very very emotional, really, because she’s been shielding and we’ve only been able to see her through the patio door window.

“When the baby was born she couldn’t see him right away and it’s very emotional. Dora thought it was amazing to see him.

“It wasn’t too bad, thankfully, to get everyone together but it was really about getting the timing right and we didn’t want to risk the baby being out so soon.

"I think as things are lifting, we’ve still got to be careful and keep our distance with nan so she’s safe but to be able to go to the garden has been great.

“We’re going to go in the garden and will be doing that as much as we can really but we’re still going to be extremely careful.”

Dora has been forced to stay in her home due to the restrictions, but has been kept company by her daughter Rosemarie who often takes her on trips out.

To ensure they are as safe as possible, the pair have asked their family members to deliver shopping and other essentials they need.

Julie, who comes from Wolverhampton but who now lives in Cannock, said: “It’s been really difficult because she’s still really active in going out and because my mom lives with her, she drives her everywhere and they potter about here and there.

“And at the moment they can’t go anywhere and I’m doing the shopping for them – they really have been staying at home for the past three months.

“It will be absolute amazing for her to hold Thomas – it will be very emotional or all of us because we’re a very close family, so you naturally want to share and be part of each other’s lives.

“It would be beyond incredible but we have to wait and see what happens – hopefully in the near future we’ll be able to do that.

“My mum turned 75 this year so we’re trying to get together and do something like that for her – a lot of things have been put on hold because of things.

"We've still got to keep our distance and make sure we don't get too close to each other which is extremely hard – especially when there's a newborn."