THE Prestatyn family of a “little star” who has Downs syndrome is “overwhelmed” after being flooded with birthday cards from strangers who heard her special day was cancelled.

People from as far as Australia and the United States have sent birthday cards and gifts after hearing that Cassie Williams’s 30th birthday party could not go ahead on January 14 due to coronavirus restrictions.

Her mum Helena, in her mid-70s, shared a Facebook appeal with family and friends but it was reshared and reached a people across the globe and already about 50 cards have been sent to their home. They have also received offers of birthday balloons, cake and glittery tattoos.

Cassie, who also has Jacobsen’s disease, was not expected to live past her childhood and so her birthday celebrations are a very special time for the family.

Sister-in-law Cathy, who helps to care for Cassie, said the family is “genuinely overwhelmed” by the gestures sent their way.

“It all started off as an accident as the post was meant for family and friends but it went public as people were resharing it,” said Cathy, who lives in Trelogan.

“We had told Cassie she would be having a party and she is like an elephant as she never forgets things.

“Instead we tried to explain that she would be receiving lots of cards and there are so many generous, kind people who have offered to help. We have received about 50 cards in the post and people have even knocked on our door.

“Cassie is so excited about getting birthday cards as she collects the post each morning, so her parents have been hiding them all in the back room.

“We’re genuinely overwhelmed and cannot thank the public enough.”

She was adopted aged three-years-old and is the fourth oldest of nine children of Helena and husband John, who were awarded an MBE in 2002 as the longest-serving foster parents in the North Wales region.

In the Facebook post, Helena said the couple had decided to adopt “princess” Cassie while looking through a ‘catalogue’ of children as that was how the process was carried out in the early 1990s.

“I saw her and fell in love,” said Helena. “We were told she would not walk and would be in nappies, but she has passed those hurdles.

“I’ve always given her a party for her big [birthdays], for her 18th we took her to Disney Land Paries and every year after her 17th we have taken Cassie abroad but we had to stop and give her parties instead, but she can’t have a party which I was hoping to do for her 30th.

“She loves opening cards and it would be lovely if she could do this on her birthday.”

Birthday cards can be sent to Cassie at 10, Parc Cemlyn, Prestatyn, LL19 9NX.