A blogger has started a fundraiser for her 75-year-old neighbour after hearing she couldn't afford the £240 taxi to and from Heathrow Airport to visit her family in Canada.
Chloe Elliott, who blogs at Chloe in Curve, tweeted her sadness after having a cup of tea with her neighbour Val and finding out how much she was struggling.
Chloe wrote: "Just had a tea with my 75 year old next door neighbour and I am SOBBING. She's off to Canada in May to visit her son and she's never met some of her grandkids.
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"Her husband, daughter and brother all passed away within the last 2 years and she told me she's scrimped and saved to go on this trip as she feels it'll be her only chance.
"I phoned around today to ask about taxi prices for her (£240 for a return to the airport) and honestly she looked devastated when I told her that amount."
Chloe started a Go Fund Me page to help her neighbour, encouraging well-wishers to donate money to help Val get to the airport.
She wrote: "My elderly neighbour Val, is the loveliest woman you'll ever met. She's gone through a horribly tough time over the past 2 years. Her husband, daughter and brother have all passed away over the last 24 months, and she feels that now is her only time to go and visit her family in Canada.
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"She lives alone - other than with her best pal Koko the chocolate Labrador - she has bad arthritis, and on top of all of that she has money worries. She's taxed on her teaching pension year after year and now she's worried about raising the £240 she needs to be able to get a taxi to and from Heathrow airport. Im hoping to raise that amount so that that's one less thing she has to worry about."
Within a day, Chloe and Val have nearly reached their goal of £1,500, which both ladies were absolutely delighted with.
Chloe tweeted about her happiness, writing: "Thank you SO much for your kindness and generosity. I cant wait to tell Val that she doesn't have to worry about her taxi to the airport, or her rent for next month.We need to look after our elderly neighbours more because sometimes they really need help."
She also said that the donations had given Val the "shock of her life", sharing a photo of the two together and writing "I just popped round to let Val know and we both fully sobbed. Thank you so so much for your kindness, she said she didn't even know you could do this online and she can't believe the kindness of strangers. She said this is the biggest shock of her life."
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Chloe told Pretty52: "Val has worked from the age of 15 to 70, and now as a widow has to scrimp and save. She's going to Canada to visit her grandkids as she feels this is the last thing she needs to do.
"She's suffered so much loss and I just want her to enjoy this holiday to the fullest. We've managed to raise almost £1,500 for Val and I'd absolutely love to raise more for a lovely old lady who has given so much."
You can donate to Val's fundraiser here.
Featured Image Credit: Chloe Elliott