Community Surprises Terminally Ill Father With Christmas in October

By Darby Jones October 11, 2021

A man from England was given a devastating diagnosis recently, so his community gathered to spread Christmas cheer for him a few months early this year.

Fake snow and streamers fell from the sky as a crowd sang Christmas songs to bring some Christmas magic a little early this year for a special neighbor.

Matthew Sandbrook, a 36-year-old from Worcester, England, was diagnosed with a brain tumor recently and given only three months to live. Sandbrook’s cousin, Nikki Lee, asked the community for help to bring some Christmas magic for the family.

Matthew and his girlfriend Rebecca Rushton, along with their three sons Connor, 15, Kyle 13, and Tyler, nine were surprised when hundreds of people showed up in festive outfits, singing “Stand By Me” as the family came out of their home. The crowd then moved on to more festive carols, such as “Merry Christmas Everyone” and “Fairytale of New York.”

“We have really brought the Christmas spirit to Warndon – we really did it,” Lee said to Worcester News. “I can’t believe it. All the hard work, sleepless nights and text messages to my best friend Sam asking ‘Can we do this?’ has been worth it. My emotions have been up and down but seeing them all together I’m so happy we managed to do it. Thank you to everyone – it meant the world to them.”

Image source: Worcester News