Couple’s sweet surprise for Paralympic hopeful (From The Northern Echo)

Couple’s sweet surprise for Paralympic hopeful Lyndon Longhorne

10:21am Wednesday 3rd March 2010 in Limbs For Lyndon By Rachel Wearmouth

A MYSTERY couple sought out Paralympic hopeful Lyndon Longhorne yesterday to give him a box of liquorice – with £5,000 in it.

The pair, described as being in their 80s, surprised the teenage swimmer during lunch at Bishop Auckland’s King James I Community Arts College yesterday.

However, they insisted their identity be kept a secret.

Pulling up in a lilac Nissan Micra, the “smartly dressed”

pensioners spotted the 14- year-old, who lost both legs and an arm to menigitis, chatting with friends outside.

The schoolboy, from Crook, County Durham, said: “They said, ‘are you Lyndon?’. I said, ‘yes’. Then they said, ‘we’ve got a present for you, it’s money, it’s £5,000, have you got your schoolbag?’.

“I’m speechless. I’m still in shock.

The man, who used a cane, then stuffed a package in Lyndon’s bag and cracked jokes as a crowd began to gather.

“They said they had been driving round all day trying to find me,” Lyndon said.

“At first I thought I better check to see it’s not ticking.”

Drama teacher Joanne Howard said: “The couple were quite eccentric and I thought the kids were giving them hassle but everyone was laughing and smiling.

“The couple looked like they had been scheming what they were going to do all week.

“They seemed to be enjoying themselves. I think it’s lovely human nature.”

As the pair made a quiet exit in their car, the package was unwrapped to reveal a liquorice allsort box containing money.

Baffled by the act of kindness, teachers called police to ensure the money was not stolen but were advised to simply write Lyndon’s mother Tammy Shevels a receipt.

Lyndon has been in the public eye since he was struck down with meningitis as a baby, but has become a celebrity since The Northern Echo and Durham County Council chairman Brian Myers launched the Limbs For Lyndon campaign last year. Thousands of pounds have since been raised to support the teenager.

Ms Shevels pleaded for the couple to get in touch so she could express her gratitude.

She said: “I just got a phone call from Lyndon’s school asking if I could come in.

“The teachers asked me to sit down before they told me how much.

“I just can’t believe it.

“I know they want to remain anonymous, but I would like them to get in touch with me, even if they don’t want anyone else to know.

“I would like to thank them personally. We want them to know how grateful we are and to tell us what they want us to do with the money.”

The couple can contact the family on 07711-958279.