Man restores crash victim’s bench
THE mother of a man who died in a hit-and-run crash has praised the ‘compassion and integrity’ of a handyman who restored her son’s memorial bench free of charge.
Carl Nield, 29, died a month after he was hit on Churchill Way, Macclesfield, in 1998.
His family installed a memorial bench at the junction of Churchill Way and Chestergate and visit it throughout the year.
But over the last decade it has fallen into disrepair.
Macclesfield Town Council tasked handyman Matthew Sanders to refurbish the seat, but when the 37-year-old heard it was a memorial he offered to fix it for free.
Since learning of the act of kindness Carl’s mum Pam has met Matthew and spoken about Carl.
Pam, 65, said: “When someone told me about Matthew’s act of compassion and integrity I burst into tears.
“He didn’t know me or Carl and went above and beyond.
“I knew this was someone with a big heart. Matthew restored my faith in nature, in a world that can be very selfish.
“It was a beautiful gesture.”
Matthew, a single dad who lives on Moss Lane, set up his business Silk Property Maintenance earlier this year after losing his job.
He said: “As soon as I found out it was a memorial I knew I couldn’t take any money for fixing it.
“I’m a firm believer that if you give more to the world than you take, it will create a better place.
“Since we met Pam and I have become friends.
“We’re both been through a lot in our lives. I’m just glad to put a smile on her face.”