A lottery-winning couple joined forces with The X-Factor’s LMA Choir to surprise a 104 year old war veteran singing his favourite Christmas carol on his doorstep.
Nigel and Sharon Mather scooped a £12.4 million win on the Euromillions in 2010 and have spent the last decade using their fortune to help worthy causes.
Armed with a luxury Christmas hamper, the millionaires met with Tom Beevers, 104, who served in the Second World War with the ‘Desert Rats’ of the 6th Royal Tank Regiment.
The former ‘Tankie’ and devoted Everton fan danced in his doorway in Maghull, Merseyside, and sang along as the choir and couple gave a performance of Santa Claus is Coming to Town and Tom’s favourite - Silent Night, on Tuesday.
Moved to tears, Tom said: “It’s a very good feeling, to have all of these people turn out. I can’t put words to it.”
The great great grandad, who has seven grandchildren across three generations, was affectionately known as ‘Beev’ by his comrades whom he served with in Italy and Cairo, Egypt.
His daughter, Lynn Davidson, 75, and granddaughter, Alison Lally, 51, kept him wrapped warm in coats and blankets as they recounted tales of his wartime efforts.
Lynn said: “He went out in 1939 and didn’t get back until 1945.
“He used to make apple pies for all the men, he made a little oven and would gather all the ingredients.
“He told us that the cook used to make two lots of soup or stew, but his nose always used to drip.
“There used to be a lookout and as they were going through to get the food they would point to the one his nose hadn’t dripped in so they could avoid snotty soup.
“He has the whole family laughing with his stories. I’ve heard them umpteen times but they’re still as fresh as when he first told me."
Alison added: “He had a chameleon that he used to keep under his beret and carry around with him, he used to take it around on the tank with him.
“He tells us so many stories.”
Tom grew up in Bootle, Sefton, and his wife, May, who died 28 years ago, at dance halls before the war.
He joined the Army in 1939 and married her when he returned from his service in 1945, Mrs Davidson said.
After the war Tom served as a fireman and then worked as a security guard until his retirement.
Despite his 104 years, the veteran hasn’t lost a shred of his character or humour, as he joked about Everton’s Premier League performance this season, and how Christmas Day is always a “booze up”.
Lynn added: “I think Silent Night is his favorite because in the war they used to sing it a lot, he taught me to harmonise it with him and he used to be able to sing it right the way through in German.
“He’s absolutely made up to have seen everyone show up today and sing it for him, it’s been so wonderful, we were tearing up as they sang to him.”
Multimillionaire parents, Nigel, 56, and Sharon, 50, donned festive jumpers as they travelled from their home in Bowdon, Cheshire to meet the charismatic veteran.
The couple who live with their two young sons, Rhys, 16, and Lewis, 12, have been on a campaign to help charities and people in need in the North West, since they cashed in the £12.4 million ticket.
Nigel said: “We have two young children to keep us busy but we’ve always said winning the lottery gives you a bit of choice and time, we try and do bits of everything but the good thing is you can set your own timetable and do the things you want.
“We have helped a fair few charities so we keep busy."
Asked what Christmas is like after you win the lottery, he replied: “The same as it is before - a bit more hectic, we have been away at Christmas before but not since the lockdown so we’ve just got some family and friends coming round.
“Hopefully it’ll be a nice peaceful family day, spend some time with the kids and just enjoy it.
“We are in the good position that we are but hopefully we’ve supported enough charities so that other people and their families can enjoy Christmas as well.”
