Single mum given ‘life-changing’ gift from wealthy retired couple

A wealthy retired couple have enabled a single mother to pursue her dream of starting her own business by giving her a life-changing gift.

Shahid and Rifat Azziz, from Swindon, swapped homes, budgets and lives with Kelly Gallant, 34,  and her two sons 15-year-old Kieran, and 8-year-old Kyle from Derby for tonight’s episode of Rich House, Poor House on Channel 5. 

When Shahid and Rifat arrived in the UK from Pakistan 40 years ago, they had just £25 in their pockets. 

Through hard work they saved enough for a comfortable retirement, and even built their dream five-bedroom home which was completed in time for Shahid’s 70th birthday.

Shahid and Rifat Azziz (pictured)  from Swindon, swap homes, budgets and lives with Kelly Gallant, 34, and her two sons 15-year-old Kieran, and 8-year-old Kyle from Derby

Shahid worked in IT, before moving into stock management as well as investing in property, while Riffat initially took on low-paid work sewing at home, from 7am until 10pm each day. 

But by the time she retired she ended up as a senior manager at a catering firm.

In his retirement, Shahid volunteers as an immigration lawyer as well as working as an Imam at his local mosque.

Meanwhile Kelly works as a self-employed cleaner but has to turn down work to look after her sons.

Her weekly budget is £139, which includes topping up the gas and electricity meter and feeding both her sons. 

She reveals she spends no money on herself, but recently invested in a car after walking to every cleaning job.   

Before she leaves for her week of luxury in Wiltshire, Kelly has to borrow a suitcase from her brother’s girlfriend to store all the family’s clothes, because she doesn’t own one herself.

The Azzizs are shocked when they stay in Kelly’s three-bedroom house in Derby, but Kelly is delighted as she’s given ten times her normal budget – £1,163 a week – to spend while living in Shahid and Rifat’s huge house.

Meanwhile Kelly (left) works as a self-employed cleaner but has to turn down work due as she has to look after her sons, Kyle and Kieran

She is wowed by the custom-built home, particularly the couples, air-drying, self-cleaning toilet.

As she counts out her weekly budget, her youngest son Kyle is amazed by the amount of money in front of him, adding: ‘That’s the first time I’ve seen a £50, I didn’t think they really existed’.

She spends the money on a day out to a local adventure park, a luxury £18 chicken, and even a lunch and spa-day at a local country manor. 

‘It would be lovely to take the boys out like this, even once a month’ Kelly says, adding that it helps grow their confidence. 

In Derby, Shahid and Riffat are equally impressed to see that Kelly and her sons grow their own vegetables in an allotment to save pennies.

Shahid worked in IT, before moving into stock management as well as investing in property, while Riffat initially took on low paid work sewing at home, from 7am until 10pm each day.

Kelly works as a self-employed cleaner but has to turn down work due as she has to look after her sons

Shahid worked in IT, before moving into stock management as well as investing in property, while Riffat initially took on low paid work sewing at home, from 7am until 10pm each day (left together).  Meanwhile Kelly (right)  works as a self-employed cleaner but has to turn down work due as she has to look after her sons

Shahid soon realises Kelly is doing everything she can to provide for her boys but can’t take risks as a business because she’s the only family member taking home money.

Impressed with her efforts to grow her own food to provide for her family, the Azzizs soon realise her freezer is too small to store off of the vegetables she is growing.

They meet Keiran’s friends who come around to Kelly’s home to play football in the green outside.

Shahid joins them and ponders ‘I wish I had spent more time with my own children and given them more of my attention.

‘It’s a difficult decision when you are trying to put bread on the table. Kelly is spending more time with her children and putting her ambitions on hold. 

Shahid decides to rally around his local Islamic community to raise funds to buy a new freezer for the single mum.  

Seemingly, with no end to their generosity, they eat leftovers on their last days in the home, opting to put the remaining £25 of their budget on the gas and electricity meter, so Kelly doesn’t need to worry about it.

In a heartwarming letter, Shahid writes: ‘Dear Kelly, everyone told us what a lovely and hard working mum you are and that your sons are a credit to you.

‘I hope you will accept a free freezer from us to help you preserve your produce from your allotment.’

‘Islam means “I should love all mankind” and we all dearly love you and your family.’

Shahid soon realises Kelly is doing everything she to provide for her boys but can't take risks as a business because she's the only family member taking home money

Impressed with her efforts to grow her own food to provide for her family, the Azzizs soon realise her freezer is too small to store off of the vegetables she is growing

Shahid soon realises Kelly is doing everything she to provide for her boys but can’t take risks as a business because she’s the only family member taking home money. Impressed with her efforts to grow her own food to provide for her family, the Azzizs soon realise her freezer is too small to store off of the vegetables she is growing.

The couple also buy Kelly a carpet cleaner, meaning she’ll be able to offer more services in her new business. 

Elated upon seeing her new gifts Kelly says: ‘I’ve had my fridge for 16 years, that’s amazing.

‘I can offer carpet cleaning services now too.

‘This week has really made me realise that I’m ready to expand my business to have more cash.

‘I don’t believe money can buy happiness but I can see that it can help.’

 While, back home in Swindon, Shahid adds: ‘You can get complacent and when you see someone who is working just as hard as you but who is struggling because they haven’t had a lucky break, it’s hard.  

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