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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Indigo Stafford & William Walker

Dying mum's wish to re-unite grown-up son with elderly chef father he has never met

A mum who has been given just six months to live wants to reunite her son with his elderly chef dad as her dying wish.

60 years ago Margaret Bottomley, who was known as Margaret Clowes at the time, moved to London where she met a Scotsman working in a hotel as a sous chef.

The pair enjoyed a "causal fling" together for around six months before Margaret returned to live back in Huddersfield.

She found out that she was pregnant, but realised that Ian Milne, who would now also be in his 80s, had never given her an address or his phone number.

Her son David Bottomley, who is now 60, grew up without ever knowing his real dad and his sister Kelly told Edinburgh Live her mum has always felt guilty.

Margaret has been told she hasn't got long left (xxxxxxxxx WS)

Kelly, 50, said: "My mum's body is shutting down, she has only got about six months to live.

"We have been looking for my brother's dad who is from Edinburgh, we have searched everywhere but cannot find him.

"His name is Ian Milne and he must be in his 80s, this is our last hope to find him.

"He never gave her an address or number, all she knows is his name and that he's from Edinburgh.

"We have asked mum where the hotel is, but she says 'I don't know love, I could take there, but I don't know the name."

Sadly, Margaret has been told by doctors that her lungs are shutting down and that she only has six months to live, but the gran hopes she can re-unite her son with his dad before it's too late.

Margaret's son David Bottomley, who is now 60, grew up without ever knowing his real dad (xxxxxxxxx WS)

Margaret went on to have two more children - Kelly and her sister- and is still with Kelly's dad.

Kelly added: "It's very hard because my dad and him don't get on so he's always been on his own.

"My mum feels guilty, I feel guilty because I've always had a dad - there's a lot of guilt going on.

"My brother is such a fantastic dad and grandad.

"Mum doesn't want to go feeling guilty that he's never had this opportunity to have his dad.

"It's been hard because we have been searching for him for ten years now and it's got to the point where my brother is saying 'he could be dead soon.'

"The last thing he ever wants is to go to a grave to say hello and goodbye."

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