Edinburgh: One Hundred Years Young

A birthday is a special occasion but for Sammy it is a milestone. This year he became a centenarian — he turned one hundred years old, yet he likes to think that life is just beginning.

[Simon (Sammy) Martinez, Centenarian]:

“I’m one day to day, 100 years has passed. So I’m one day to day, a brand new second hand.”

Sammy is well liked in the community and has been a member of Edinburgh’s Hibernian Football Club for over forty years

[Bill Alcorn, Assistant General Secretary Hibernian Football Club]:

“He’s always been a character and today he doesn’t look any different than he did when I first met him. It’s almost as if he never ages.”

Though Sammy is having four birthday parties, it is his family that comes first.

[Kenny Roches, Sammy’s Nephew]:

“If his family is not OK he is not OK, but if his family is OK he’s fine. He never thinks about his self and he never worries about anything.”

Centenarians receive a special telegram from the Queen acknowledging their accomplishment.

[Simon (Sammy) Martinez, Centenarian]:

“When you can get something from the Queen and get something from the Lord Provost at this age, well, I think it is a great achievement.”

Sammy always lives within his means and only stopped working at age ninety-five when he got ill for the first time in his life.

[Simon (Sammy) Martinez, Centenarian]:

“I just take care of the little life that I have now. Take care not to abuse my health, eat enough, sleep enough, walk about and meet people, be contented that’s the main thing.”

Centenarians are the fastest growing segment in society. There are approximately 9,000 in the United Kingdom.

Stefan Byfield, NTD, Edinburgh, Scotland

Foto: NTDTV