Club hands over £1,000 to make Christmas special after tough year
"We were just going to forget Christmas altogether".
Those were the words of Matthew Powell, who together with fiancee Amy Powell had endured a truly challenging year. What should have been the joy of the birth of their son Toby was tarnished by a stroke during pregnancy that left Amy in a wheelchair.
Little Toby was born 15 weeks ago and is now doing well, but dad Matthew and Amy have been in and out of hospital since and have had to pay for Amy to receive physiotherapy privately.
But the family, from Newport, has been given a reason to celebrate at Christmas after they were given £1,000 to buy presents for their children Connor Hollran, 13, and Alisha Tucker, eight.
The money was handed over by Mecca Bingo after Matthew was named as one of the winners of the chain's Christmas on Mecca competition.
The 24-year-old was nominated for the award by his mother, sister and work colleagues. He is one of five winners across the country and was presented with his prize at the Southwater bingo hall in Telford on Christmas Eve.
Matthew said: "They offered me a Christmas hamper with various stuff in it but I said I'd rather just have the £1,000 to buy presents.
"Toby is only young so he only needs a few bits but I've been able to buy for Amy and the kids.
"The only thing I have had to do is wrap them.
"It really is going to be wonderful.
"Obviously it is a big weight off with buying presents and things."
Included within the Powell family's wish list prize package was a 500GB Play Station 4 with FIFA 16 plus Star Wars battlefront as well as several gift vouchers to spend at high street retailers, including jewellers and electronic goods.
Nick Debeur, club manager at Mecca Telford, said: "We're thrilled that Matthew and his family will have an extra special festive season and hope that they have a wonderful time celebrating together."
