Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE
We love to hear heartwarming tales of the kindness of strangers – and today Kim Richardson, who lives in Halstead, Essex, reveals how she was finally able to thank the lady who rescued her from a car accident 21 years ago…
It was a parent’s nightmare come true when teenage driver Kim Richardson had a car crash that left her injured and her car written off.
Just 17 at the time, new driver Kim was badly shaken by the accident when a Good Samaritan came to her rescue, phoning an ambulance, her parents, and welcoming her into her home to rest and calm down after her ordeal.
The kind stranger, known only as June, allowed Kim to keep her vehicle outside her house while her family waited for it to be collected.
Almost 21 years on, Kim was astounded to be reunited with 81-year-old June when she inquired about a room at Care UK’S Colne View, the care home where Kim now works as a customer relations manager.
“As soon as I saw June’s
and new driver Kim at 17 face, I instantly recognised her as the compassionate lady that came to my rescue all of those years ago,” explains Kim, now 38. “I couldn’t believe it – I was in such a state at the time that I never got the chance to properly thank her for helping me that day.
And 21 years on, I finally had the chance.” The reunion came at a poignant time for Kim, whose own 17-year-old daughter is now learning to drive. Reflecting on this, Kim presented June with flowers, to finally express her gratitude for her kindness all those years ago.
Touched that Kim had remembered, a delighted June says: “I did what anyone would do that day in helping her and her family.
“It’s so nice to see her again after so many years.”
If you’d like to sing someone’s praises, email siobhan.mcnally@mirror.co.uk