Good Samaritan get neighbour’s son to her 100th birthday party

A Good Samaritan travelled nearly 4,000 miles across Europe – to drive his neighbour’s son to her 100th birthday party.

Tim Deakin, 40, volunteered to help when he found out ex-pat Brian Pritchard, 70, was unable to fly or drive himself to his mother Minnie’s celebration.

So he flew to Mr Pritchard’s home near Milan, Italy, and then spent two days driving him back to Coleford, Gloucestershire, in his Alfa Romeo.

The following weekend, he got behind the wheel once again and drove Mr Pritchard home before flying back to England – clocking up a total of around 3,800 miles.

Tim Deakin (left) drove his neighbour’s son Brian Pritchard (right) across Europe for her 100th birthday party

Mr Deakin, who owns a car body repair shop in Coleford, was accompanied on the journey by his 13-year-old daughter Billie-Mae.

‘I’m the youngest person in the street, so I put my hand up and said I’d go,’ he said.

‘Minnie has been a neighbour of mine for a long time, so I wanted to do what I could to help.

‘I’ve never travelled so far before and I’ve never driven on the right, but my business means I’m used to driving other people’s cars and I soon got the hang of it.

‘I spend a lot of time working, it was nice to have some quality time with my 13-year-old daughter.’

Mr Pritchard, who lives in Bergamo near Milan, is unable to fly but had been planning on driving himself to the party before a foot injury prevented him from getting behind the wheel. 

Brian Pritchard, 70, his mother Minnie Pritchard, Liz Lloyd-Nash, 64, and Dr Richard Lloyd-Nash, 31 at Minnie’s 100th birthday party

So Mr Deakin and Billie-Mae flew out there and drove for 25 hours through Switzerland, Germany and France in Mr Pritchard’s Alfa Romeo 159 to make the party on June 22.

‘We drove for 13 hours, across Switzerland and France, with a three hour detour as we were chatting so much we missed our junction: I had a sat nav on my phone, but the battery died about an hour in to the journey,’ Mr Deakin said.

‘We were heading for a particular hotel that Brian knew, but when we got there at about 6pm, it was empty and up for sale. 

‘It took us another hour to find somewhere else, but I slept like a log that night.’

Minnie Pritchard, pictured with her friend Douglas White, celebrated turning 100 with a party on June 22

‘The following day, we set off for Calais with croissants and baguettes so that Billie could make our lunch in the back of the car.

‘She was excellent and never complained in the car for all 25 hours.

‘The journey was great until we hit Dover. After perfect roads across Europe, it was nose-to-tail all the way home.

‘We got in at about 10pm and I popped out to mow the lawn.’

Mr Pritchard’s sister Liz Lloyd-Nash said: ‘We’re so grateful to Tim. Brian wouldn’t have made it to the party if it wasn’t for this wonderful gesture.

‘I didn’t think people like Tim existed. It just shows that there really are good people in the world.

Mr Deakin and Mr Pritchard got on so well in their travels they hope to be lifelong friends

‘The care home is close to where we live and we had an incredible party on Friday, with probably 50 people visiting either in the morning or the afternoon.’

Mr Deakin and Mr Pritchard got on so well in their travels they hope to be lifelong friends.

And Mr Pritchard taught Billie phrases in Italian and French, which has ignited a passion in her to travel.

Mr Deakin and his wife made the return leg of the journey on June 30 for their wedding anniversary, to drop Mr Pritchard home before flying back to the UK. 

 

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