Hastings woman, 104, who raised thousands with hill climb, receives Covid-19 vaccine

Joan Willett walked more than 17 miles in total in the lead up to her 104th birthday to say thank you for the life-saving research that her survive the two heart attacks.

The former teacher, who lives at Old Hastings House care residential home, raised the money for the British Heart Foundation after being inspired by Sir Captain Tom Moore to do her daily treks.

On Thursday (January 15), Joan became the first care home resident in Hastings to get the vaccine when she received the Oxford-AstraZeneca jab to the cheers of care home staff and fellow residents at Old Hastings House.

Joan, who has been a resident at the care home for more than 20 years said: “I feel very grateful and privileged to have been the first person in my area to get the jab. It’s wonderful to think that this now offers everyone fresh hope of getting through this pandemic.

“I will continue to do my daily walks – as long as the weather is suitable. I think a daily walk is beneficial for everyone and a lot of my fellow residents now walk with me too – which is fantastic. One of my mottos is ‘move it or lose it’ and doing my daily walks has certainly helped keep me on my toes and get through lockdown.”

While Joan continued completing her charity walks for the British Heart Foundation, the charity responded with its own special tribute to say happy birthday to her, which including broadcasting images of Joan’s walk on the iconic Piccadilly Lights billboard in the heart of London for a week up until her birthday on July 19.

The former teacher had life-saving valve replacement surgery after her second heart attack when she was 82 and since then has been walking the hill outside her care home daily to keep fit and independent.

But after watching Sir Captain Tom on TV she decided to use her daily exercise to help fund the heart research that she says allowed her to reach her 100th birthday, and beyond.

After Joan received her Covid vaccine, Jason Denny, manager of Old Hastings House, said: “It was only fitting that Joan – the inspirational leader of our residents – led by example by being the first care home resident here and locally to get the first jab against Covid-19. As Joan looks forward to her 105th birthday she will be kicking dust in the face of Covid-19 as she continues conquering her hill.

“Joan will continue to have the BHF close to her heart as she tackles those daily hill climbs with renewed vigour! Personally, we all face hills or even mountains in our life not least in the current pandemic. Joan reminds us that whilst these hills don’t get any smaller, we can get stronger."