A TOUCHING letter from a kind-hearted stranger managed to find its way to a teenager who got into trouble while grieving the death of his friend.
Tyler James, who is facing a £10,000 fine for hosting a balloon release in memory of Jamie McKitten, received the moving note and a £5 donation on Monday.
But the sender did not know his address so sent it to ‘Tyler James whose friend died’, c/o Chester-le-Street Railway Station, DH3 3EE.
The letter signed by ‘Rachel’ explains she had read about the tragic death of Jamie in a newspaper report.
The popular 17-year-old died at Chester-le-Street Railway Station at the end of March.
His family said he suffered from mental health problems as a result witnessing his mother’s murder by his father when he was four.
Hundreds of people lined the streets in his home village of Great Lumley last month, but a memorial event organised by 19-year-old Tyler weeks earlier was reported to the police.
He was initially fined £400 and paid it after people who attended chipped in to cover the cost.
Then police said they had made a mistake and he should have been charged £10,000 for breaching Covid restriction laws.
Tyler, whose 19-year-old partner is expecting their first child this summer, will have to go to court to fight the fine.
He was overwhelmed to receive the touching letter of support from the mysterious ‘Rachel’.
In her handwritten letter she said: “I am sad that you have lost your friend, and more sad that UK police are pursuing you for £10,000.
“This £5 note is my contribution to pay your fine even though I wasn’t there and had never heard of you or deceased friend until I read about you in the paper.
“I hope our government and police forces recover their compassion soon.
“Kind regards Rachel.”
Tyler said he would now like to find ‘Rachel’ so he can thank her.
Tyler James
Posting on social media, he wrote: “Honest, breaks my heart this.
“By some long shot do you think we could share this as much as we can to find out who this Rachel is and give her a big thanks.
“It’s very rare to find someone so kind-hearted in this day and age.”
If you are Rachel and would like to be put in touch email gavin.havery@nne.co.uk
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