A pensioner who spent the last 20 Christmases alone has received an astonishing number of gifts this year after capturing the nation’s hearts.
Terrence, 78, was given some festive cheer at his home in Oldham, Greater Manchester, by BBC Breakfast host Dan Walker and Oldham College students two weeks ago.
They visited him after he explained on the programme he had been struggling with loneliness and did not have a Christmas tree at home.
In footage released today, the pensioner is lost for words as he is shown the mountain of presents and cards after a ballroom dance.
In footage released Terrence, 78, from Oldham, Greater Manchester, is lost for words as he is shown the mountain of presents and cards after a ballroom dance
BBC Breakfast co-host Naga Munchetty hands Terrence, who is wearing a colourful Christmas cardigan, a parcel and he stutters: ‘Oh… why would… why?’
Ms Munchetty says: ‘Well you’ve touched the hearts of people Terrence.’
As he is given another gift, he says: ‘Oh my word. I would like to somewhere, I want to thank everybody.’
In one card, sent by ‘all in Pinner’, it said: ‘Lots of lovely people do care about you.’
BBC Breakfast co-host Naga Munchetty hands Terrence, who is wearing a colourful Christmas cardigan, a parcel and he stutters: ‘Oh… why would… why?’
Terrence says: ‘I think I get very emotional me you know. When you see so much kindness that’s been given you know we always say there’s this and there’s that but what we forget you know is there’s an awful lot of extremely kind people and I found that out, believe you me, I’ve found that out’
Terrence says: ‘I think I get very emotional me you know. When you see so much kindness that’s been given you know we always say there’s this and there’s that but what we forget you know is there’s an awful lot of extremely kind people and I found that out, believe you me, I’ve found that out.’
He adds: ‘I can’t thank you all enough, I really can’t, from the bottom of my heart.’
He is then given a snowman cake made and the pensioner’s face lights up as he jokes: ‘Oh it’s wonderful, it looks a bit like me doesn’t it.’
Earlier this month Mr Walker surprised Terrence at his front door before bringing in four students from the nearby college, one of whom was carrying a Christmas tree.
A group of carol singers from Oldham College sang Silent Night for Terrence outside his home two weeks ago
BBC Breakfast host Dan Walker comforted Terrence as he listened to the singers outside his home and burst into tears
Terrence got up from his chair to say hello but was left in tears as he greeted them individually and had to get a tissue out of his pocket as they comforted him.
After the students had finished decorating the tree, Mr Walker took him to his front door where the college choir sang Silent Night – which again left him crying.
Asked in the new footage what he thought of his huge impact on helping the lonely, he says: ‘I’m really glad it has but I didn’t expect it to go like this, do you understand what I mean?
‘Because as far as I was concerned all I was doing was telling it like it was, like I always have done, about spending the last 20 Christmases on my own, which I have done since mother passed.’
Asked in the new footage (pictured) what he thought of his huge impact on helping the lonely, he says: ‘I’m really glad it has but I didn’t expect it to go like this, do you understand what I mean?’
He said he was more than pleased if he has helped Age UK and said: ‘I’ve made an awful lot of friends as well.’
Sophie, a student, who was one of those who sang Silent Night for Terrence outside his house, told him: ‘It made us feel so special.’
He says: ‘Made you feel so special? It broke my heart.’
She says: ‘I know it was adorable seeing you so happy.’
Sophie (right), a student, who was one of those who sang Silent Night for Terrence outside his house, told him: ‘It made us feel so special’
Terrence replies: ‘Well I’ve got to say Sophie that from the day you came to my front door, I can’t tell you how pleased I am that you have now signed up as a volunteer for Age UK.’
They wish each other a Happy Christmas and hug.
Terrence first appeared on the programme to talk about his loneliness and depression, but also how his work with Age UK was helping.
He said: ‘I always think with anything, unless you’ve actually been there you don’t know what it was like. I didn’t know what it was like to have depression until I got it.’
Age UK revealed this month millions of elderly people in Britain may not like Christmas because they see it as the loneliest time of year.
The charity suggested more than three million older people may not be looking forward to the festive season, with around 200,000 spending it alone.
It also predicts 170,000 widows and widowers face Christmas without their spouse for the first time this year. Age UK polled nearly 2,000 people aged 65 and over.
- Anyone interested in helping Age UK this Christmas can read more about the charity’s campaign ‘No one should have no one to turn to’ by clicking here