Kind Fife shopkeeper is hailed a hero after his baby milk mission

A kind-hearted Fife shopkeeper has been hailed a hero after rescuing a stricken mum and her newborn baby after she could not buy baby milk because of panic stockpiling.

Assif Akhter and his wife Abda, whose family have run the Premier Local store in the Smeaton area of Kirkcaldy for more than 40 years, were told of the young mother’s desperate situation by customer Vicki Lister.

And with the lady’s plight becoming ever more serious, Mr Akhter’s swift action contacting wholesalers and suppliers was enough to track down the much-needed milk supplement.

“As a father of three children myself I can well remember how much of an already anxious time it is for new parents,” Mr Akhter explained.

“But to have that extra stress and panic was something that really shocked and appalled me

“I didn’t know the lady concerned but knew I just had to act and act fast.

“I ended up finding the last two tins of the required milk at a wholesaler, who certainly would have sold them. ASSIF AKHTER

“And it’s a good job I did as I ended up finding the last two tins of the required milk at a wholesaler, who certainly would have sold them minutes later had I not got to them first.”

Mr Akhter even refused to take payment for the items, saying it had just been satisfying to be of help.

“It was the least I could have done for the lady and was happy to do so. The look of sheer relief on her face was all the payment I needed,” said the 40-year-old.

“I’ve been shocked by the panic buying and stockpiling you hear about and even more disappointed by the tales of some retailers massively inflating their prices, which is just wrong.”

Ms Lister said she had cried after hearing of the young mum’s plight and again after learning of the shopkeeper’s help.

She said: “That shows you just how fantastic the family are and they have been helping many of the elderly during the crisis too.”