Three children who lost their grandmother and two uncles from Covid in just five days have been given a brief taste of happiness.
Joshua, Tyler and Tilly Mountjoy have endured pain like few other children.
The trio, aged 13, nine and three, were part of a close-knit family all living in the same flats block.
They are among scores in the Rhondda Valley, South Wales, who have received help from Save the Children.
The Mirror is backing the charity’s work with our Christmas appeal and we were there as the children lined up to receive presents outside their home in Treorchy.
It brought fleeting happiness for the three, who have barely been outside since gran Gladys, 74, and uncles Darren and Dean died last month.
They could not contain their broad smiles as they posed before going back indoors.
Mum Tina, 43 said: “The children are terrified someone is going to come in and bring the virus back. They’re scared of going to the shop now.”
She added: “People’s kindness helped us realise it’s not all bad.
“There are nice people out there that do nice things.
“That’s the bit of hope that gets us through the day.”
Aron Bradley, 36, head of nearby Hen Felin school, where Joshua is a pupil, said: “The Rhondda has a high level of social deprivation.”
The gifts were among 380 distributed across the region thanks to toy firm Hasbro.
If you would like to donate to our Christmas appeal, click here
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