Jeweller to the rescue is pensioner’s ‘diamond’
APENSIONER has spoken of her gratitude and relief after the community clubbed together to help her out of a tight spot.
Veronica Hunter, from Great Harwood, had been worried for days due to needing her wedding ring to be cut off after arthritis gave her swollen fingers.
Colin Whitcombe & Sons, on Warner Street, Accrington, came to her rescue, opening up solely to perform the delicate operation.
The 80-year-old, who is being helped during isolation from a volunteer shopper, had alerted friend and Great Harwood Response Team lead Liz McGinley to the dilemma as the jewellers were all shut.
Her GP had suggested A&E might be the only other option.
Liz contacted Cheryl Duffy, from the ‘Hyndburn Independents - Shop Local’ Facebook page, and within minutes Cheryl had found a solution in the shape of jeweller Tim Whitcombe.
The team even supplied personal protective equipment for Tim, Mrs Hunter and the volunteer driver.
Formerly a keen golfer at Great Harwood Golf Club until about 1990, Mrs Hunter said bad arthritis set in in later in life.
She told the Observer she was very grateful, and when she offered to reimburse Tim for his trouble he said the service was complimentary.
She said: “There are some nice people out there. Things are so great today for everyone - you don’t have to go very far to find a friend.”
Mrs Hunter turned 80 last month and unfortunately her planned celebrations at Churchfield House had to be cancelled due to the pandemic. She added: “I was going to have a big party and had arranged to have all my friends around me. I am hoping to do it later in the year.”