The Stockport Express has stepped in to give pensioner Florence Bailey a Christmas to remember.
The 84-year-old widow has been unable to leave her top-floor flat for three months after a lift broke down.
Health problems mean the former sweet shop owner can’t make it down the four flights of stairs at Rena Court in Heaton Norris.
After our exclusive story revealed Mrs Bailey’s plight last week, she received numerous offers of help.
And this week Stockport Express reporter Peter Devine went to see Florence – complete with Santa Claus and a hamper full of Christmas goodies.
Previously, the only way she could get her shopping done was by relying on kindly neighbours.
A delighted Mrs Bailey said: "It's just amazing. I never expected all these things to happen, particularly, after the first burst of publicity.
"People have been so good. It’s unbelievable."
We contacted Sainsbury’s in the town centre, who made up a hamper including turkey breast, chocolates, Christmas pudding, brandy butter, crackers, biscuits, tinned food, sherry and a wrapped present.
Mrs Bailey added: "I have a friend in Lytham St Annes, who is in shock after reading about me in a national newspaper.
"Goodness knows what she will say when I tell her I have been visited by Father Christmas."
Trish Laing – who helped deliver the hamper with Sainsbury’s colleague Karen Howard – said: "Mrs Bailey is such a sweetheart – she is so inspiring."
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Well done all concerned, please all look after the elderly, it will happen to you one day.
Oh please. I think enough people in the last story about this lady made the very important and overriding observation that in the event of a fire, lifs would not be usable. If this lady cannot use the stairs (as stated in the story) then for health and safety reasons she should be in GROUND FLOOR accommodation...period.
Good on you, Stockport Express! But after you've all made sure that she's had the nicest Christmas she could possibly hope for under the circumstances, perhaps one of her neighbours on the ground floor could be persuaded to swap flats with her as soon as possible (as long as they are fitter and healthier than Florence). Failing that and failing the lift being repaired, her move to a suitable ground floor flat should be arranged as soon as possible. I know it is not easy for an elderly person to face the upheavel of moving, but something must be sorted out. I am going on 65 myself and I'm catching up fast with her, so I know what it's like to be getting on in years.
aww thats a lovely gesture, pity the lift people couldnt have been as helpful, merry xmas.