Father who was ‘Gary Gatwick’ in plea to mum of bus shelter baby
AMAN left at an airport as a baby is reaching out to the mother of the newborn found at a Conwy bus shelter, telling her “it’s not too late to come forward.”
Steve Hydes, who himself was discovered as a baby in the toilets of Gatwick Airport 31 years ago, is appealing for her to get in touch with the authorities for help.
Mr Hydes was just a few days old when he was discovered by airport staff on April 10, 1986, and years later he is still seeking answers about what happened on that fateful day.
Wrapped in a tartan shawl and wearing two babygrows, he was dubbed ‘Gary Gatwick’ after the airport’s teddy bear mascot.
Mr Hydes said he hopes the mother of the girl found in a bus shelter near the Magpie and Stump pub on the A548 Towyn Road in Towyn, Conwy, on July 11, will accept the help available to her.
He said: “I was really saddened that the mum was in this position, I can’t imagine what the mum was going through. When I hear about other babies being left it brings everything back, it’s like a new cycle, in 20 years’ time are they going to be like me and start searching for their mum?
“It’s not too late for the mum to come forward, I know she must be feeling scared and worried but the longer she holds the secret I’m guessing the harder it will be for her as a mum.”
Mr Hydes is now 31 and in May this year he married the love of his live, Sammy.
The pair live in west Sussex with their two children 10-year-old Alanna and Kian, five.
Mr Hydes said: “Not knowing your name, the day you were born, if you have sisters, brothers, aunties and uncles does have an impact on your life.
“I always wonder if the day I celebrate my birthday is my birthday.
“These are all the things that abandoned babies have to learn to accept and learn to deal with.
“I always think of my birth family on and around the time I was left, as well as Christmas, birthdays, and generally most days. I often wonder if she thinks about me.”
The landscape gardener has made a direct appeal to the mother of the little girl left in Towyn.
He said: “If the mum of this little girl is reading this I would like you know it is not too late to come forward. There are plenty of people out there that can help and support you. Your little girl will more than likely want to find you when she is older. I know it must be hard seeing her face on the TV and papers and you know that she is safe but all she needs is her mum.
“When she is old enough to know, there will not be a day that doesn’t go by that she won’t think of you.”
He added: “I have been searching for my mum now for 13 years and although I have not been successful as of yet I will not stop searching. Even if I don’t find my mum but I can help others like you come forward and have your baby back in your arms I would have achieved something in my search.”
Mr Hydes is still desperately trying to track down his own mother.
As part of his search Mr Hydes submitted his DNA to a geneticist, which revealed that his parents could be from Scotland, England, Ireland, Germany or France.
Mr Hydes said: “I would feel a big sigh of relief if I find her, just knowing who she is, who I am and that she is safe would be great.
“I will continue with social media in the hope someone or my birth family may feel they can come forward, and I am confident that I will get a closer DNA match in the future which will hopefully lead me to my birth family.”
North Wales Police are continuing to appeal for any information, including dash cam footage, that could reunite the mother with her baby girl and have asked her to give her a name.
If anyone knows who the mother is, or can provide any information which may assist in identifying her, please call 101, quoting reference number V103529.
The mother only can call Helen Douglas of North Wales Police on 07835 923 787.