Kind-hearted 'Good Samaritan' saves disabled Mansfield boy's family from 'nightmare scenario'

Tricy Isherwood’s son Zach has regressive autism, hydrocephalus and intestinal failure and regularly suffers from seizures, which means he requires extensive help and equipment to keep him safe.

But when Tricy and her family discovered they would have to move out of their adapted property for a week to allow for essential maintenance work to be carried out, it left them frantically searching for alternative accommodation.

However, the worried mum was unable to find a property suitable for Zach without forking out around £1,000 for just seven days’ use – until a ‘Good Samaritan’ stepped in to cover the costs.

“We completely understood the work needed to be done, but we can’t just move anywhere with Zach,” said Tricy.

"He needs a certain number of rooms on the ground floor for his equipment, and every property we could find was extortionate.

"We are already having to fundraise to buy Zach equipment he needs, so we really didn’t want to have to empty the pot just for a week’s accommodation, but it looked like we had no other choice – it was a nightmare scenario.”

After a desperate plea online for help to locate accommodation, Tricy was blown away when kind-hearted stranger Timothy Knight came forward to offer to cover the £1,000 costs of the perfect property for the family.

“We couldn’t believe it,” Tricy said. "We have been so lucky with the donations from local companies, but this just really blew us away. His generosity is amazing.”

Businesses from across the area have also helped raise funds for Zach.

The One Stop shop in Berry Hill has put out donation tins and raffled off a hamper and many other businesses have provided raffle prizes – with Alrate Cheesecakes donating a large cheesecake, Bubbling Kettle lunch truck two meals, Say Cheese Cakes 12 cupcakes and Beauty by Maria a £20 gift card.

T.I.S. has also bought a £150 storage cabinet for Zach’s bedroom to store his care packages, while Onetek Security has purchased a much-needed medical bath and monitor for his sensory room.

Crocodile Rock and Auntie Sue’s Day Care have also donated £100.