A woman has thanked her best friend for helping her through a year of hell.
Kimberley Toner’s world was turned upside down in June last year when the dad of her five-year-old daughter Savannah went missing.
Alan Jeffrey, from Wishaw, vanished on the Spanish island of Tenerife on June 10 and has not been seen since.
Kimberley has also had to contend with her mum Shirley being diagnosed with dementia.
Kimberley said: “It was really difficult at first. We were putting a cover up for Savannah.
“Then as time went on we had to tell her that the police were looking for him.
“It was hard but she took it as well as she could in those circumstances.
“I don’t think she would have taken it as well without the support network around her.
“She doesn’t really know how long her dad has been away for. She has good days and bad days, which can be very difficult.
“It’s also been hard with my mum’s diagnosis. She has her good days and bad days.
“The good thing about her is that she tries to take each day as it comes.”
Throughout it all, Kimberley’s friend Caitlin Hill has been a rock to her despite her own medical battles.
And to thank her for all she has done, Kimberley surprised Caitlin at her home in north Motherwell with a beautiful bouquet of flowers thanks to our friends at Pixie’s Petals in
Newmains.
Kimberley added: “We met 12 years ago through mutual friends. I worked with her pal.
“We’ve had some great times and great laughs but we help each other through the bad times as well.
“Caitlin and Savannah have such a strong bond. She’s her auntie Caitlin.
“When Alan went missing I had got help from a counsellor with advice on how to tell Savannah and Caitlin was in every meeting with me.
“Sometimes Savannah would tell Caitlin things she wouldn’t even tell me. That’s how strong a bond they have.
“Caitlin is only 25 like me but she has had a lot to deal with.
“She has got nerve damage below her knee meaning she can’t feel her feet and she was also recently diagnosed with Osteoporosis which is very rare for people her age.
“But she is the most outgoing friend you could ever wish to have.
“She will talk to anyone she meets and she has been such a rock for me.”
