My girls have surrogate gran
When his wife walked out, leaving him to raise his daughters alone, life seemed bleak for Keith Ironside.
Especially since the Bridge of Allan dad’s disabilities meant he stayed at home with Katie, then aged three, and 10-year-old Allie while his other half had been the breadwinner.
“There were times I had just £3 in my pocket for us to live on,” he recalled.
A friend heard about Home-Start and Keith asked his health visitor to refer him. Two months after becoming a single dad, they sent volunteer Diane to help out.
From taking the girls on trips out to transporting Keith to hospital appointments, she was the guardian angel he needed.
Keith suffers neurological disorder Arnold Chiari malformation and spinal condition syringomyelia.
Home-Start helped him apply for benefits and get his finances in order. At Christmas they bought presents for the girls and gave him a food hamper. They also held regular events and family parties.
Five years on, Keith is no longer supported by Home-Start but describes Diane as a “surrogate grandmother” for the girls, as she is still a part of their lives.
“They were there for whatever I needed,” he said. “I didn’t feel so alone.
“And Diane has become part of the family. She sees the girls all the time.”
Diane has become part of the family