A employee of  a Bolton-based business took it upon himself to surprise a customer.

An AO World engineer delivered a surprise gift to customer Charlie Mabon after learning of the difficulties he had overcome during the last 12 months.

Gas installation engineer Donald Webb met Charlie in late 2022 when he delivered a new American Fridge Freezer to his home.

Donald was so moved by Charlie’s story that he wanted to organise a nice surprise for the 84-year-old who lives in Selkirk.

Donald learnt that Charlie had tough year after his son and daughter-in-law were involved in a horrific car crash that left them both badly injured.

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Upon leaving hospital, they lived with Charlie for three months whilst they recovered.

Whilst all of this was happening, Charlie was also a full-time carer for his wife who was living with dementia. She sadly passed away just a few months after his son and daughter-in-law returned home.

Once Donald had returned to AO’s depot he immediately spoke to his supervisors to organise a surprise gift to be delivered to Charlie so that he could get 2023 off to a much better start.

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Donald said: “I remember leaving Charlie’s home and thinking, wow, he deserves a medal for what he has gone through. He was such a cheerful chap and I really wanted to do something for him because he seemed like the kind of person that helps everyone he comes across in life.”

After learning that Charlie’s son and daughter-in-law now live hundreds of miles away, Donald picked out a new Lenovo tablet as the perfect gift so he could keep in touch with his son via video call.

Just a few weeks later, Donald dropped the tablet off himself to Charlie’s doorstep.

Donald added: “It was lovely to see Charlie again and I was delighted to hear that he had a lovely Christmas and New Year with his son and daughter-in-law. Hopefully this gift will mean that he can regularly catch up with them whenever he wishes.”

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AO World plc, headquartered in Bolton and listed on the London Stock Exchange, is an online electrical retailer, with a mission to be the global destination for electricals.