The family of a police officer who has worked every Christmas for 30 years was selected from hundreds of long-distance families to receive a surprise reconciliation.
PC David Bald's work with Thames Valley Police over the festive period means that he rarely gets to meet up with all of his family, including his parents, brother and nephews.
The Bald family had not all been in the same room for nearly four years before they were brought together again by National Express.
Last autumn, the coach operator put a call-out for families who would not be able to spend Christmas 2018 together due to their location and travel arrangements.
Families from across the country entered the competition to receive free coach travel to bring their disparate family together over the festive season.
David Bald's wife Sandra entered for the chance to reunite her husband with his family, who live in Edinburgh, at a time of year when this is not usually possible.
The family of 10 were reunited in Scotland at the Woodside Hotel in Aberdour, Fife. Sandra and David’s 14-year-old daughter, Alexandra, who has Down's syndrome, was given a special chance to see the whole family.
Sandra said: “It has been such a long time since we have all been together under one roof.
“With David’s work it is tough to arrange a time to make the journey, so it was really a lovely surprise to find out we had been selected.
“It has been wonderful to catch up again and for Alexandra to have an opportunity to see her cousins.
“Hopefully it won’t be another three-and-a-half years until we see each other next time.”
National Express arranged all travel for the Bald family and their trip to Aberdour, and funded their get-together at the hotel.
A spokesperson for National Express said: “We understand that life often takes us far away from home, and can separate us from our hometowns and family.
“Christmas is a time for friends and family, but for some it's a real challenge to bring the entire clan together.
“We are delighted we were able to give the Bald family this small gift to make their Christmas a little bit more special.”
SWNS
