Grieving family's holiday plans saved thanks to a total stranger's kind gesture

Andrew Mcdermott from Hedge End lost his wife, Kim, in February last year after a long battle with breast cancer.

The 41-year-old and his two children, Ethan, 9, and Annabelle, 6, were left with a hole in their hearts following her death at age 33.

Andrew gave up his job at DPD in order to look after his wife, but has been unable to go back to work due to anxiety in his children, who fear that their dad might not return when out of sight.

Due to Kim's illness, the children were never able to go on holiday and so as a treat Andrew's mum, Sylvia Carruthers, booked a family holiday to Italy. But due to the coronavirus pandemic the holiday was cancelled.

"I booked a holiday because of what they had been through,"explained Sylvia, who lives in Carlisle in Cumbria.

"Once the Government said we could travel, I decided to book a holiday to Cornwall.

"But it was cancelled a week before we were due to go due to over-booking."

Sylvia's daughter Alaina put out an urgent SOS on Facebook appealing for any help to get a last minute booking to avoid disappointing the children.

Sylvia said: "We were devastated as Andrew, Ethan and Annabelle so needed this and try as we might everywhere was fully booked.

"My daughter put out an SOS on Facebook and I rang my brother who lives in Falmouth.

"My niece Kimberley also put out an SOS and a friend of hers has offered us her static home in Newquay for a week.

"We know nothing of her except her name is Kazz. We couldn't believe it, I was overwhelmed and in tears.

"We have never met her before and for a total stranger to be so kind we just can't believe it."

Sylvia and her husband have not been able to see their grandchildren since February due to lock down.

But thanks to the kindness of a total stranger, the family will be able to enjoy a well-deserved holiday together.