By winning a £500 voucher, a family which has endured a tough battle is hoping to see their luck finally change for the better. Having entered the free raffle at the Fairbairns of Berwick grand sale, Maureen and Stephen Matthews’ ticket was picked at random, resulting in them winning a £500 voucher to be spent in the shop.
Back in 2012, the couple, who live in Preston, Duns were visiting their eleven-year-old son at the Borders General Hospital as he was about to undergo an operation on his broken wrist. As the concerned parents headed out to Melrose to pick up food for their son following his procedure, they were run-over by an elderly driver, and suffered life-threatening injuries.
Maureen says: “We entered the free draw on the spur of the moment and are absolutely thrilled to have won. We had just bought a beautiful three-piece suite from the shop in preparation for moving to our new family home – so this £500 will be an unbelievable help.
“When we entered it was our first time visiting the shop and I had no idea that it extended back quite so far, and had so much stock and it is lovely to know that we have a shop like this nearby. By winning this £500 voucher, perhaps our luck is finally changing for the better.”
Martin Fairbairn, director at Fairbairns, says: “I can confidently say on behalf of us all here at Fairbairns that we are so delighted for Maureen and her family and I personally would like to thank them for coming to see our shop. The day they popped-in we were all struck by their story, their motivation and their positivity – so when their name was drawn from the big bucket the whole team were delighted. All too often in life we dwell on small problems – but when you are confronted by a story like this it really does put things into perspective and their spirit is truly inspiring.”
Celebrating its 70th anniversary next year, Fairbairns of Berwick, a family run shop in Berwick, recently held a grand sale to enable an exciting change in stock for the new season. The shop, which is now being managed by the third generation of the founding family, is a key employer in Berwick and is based in Church Street in the heart of the town.
Maureen adds: “It has been a hugely challenging few years, as we learn to overcome the injuries that resulted from that day. We appreciate now that we have to be strong and my son, who is now thirteen, is a constant source of inspiration – and the reason that we are still here fighting.”
