Wigan restaurant praised for helping elderly woman celebrate Mother's Day

Ian Tyack wanted to visit his 79-year-old mother Anna Tyack in Kitt Green for Mother’s Day and take her out for a meal.

But the coronavirus pandemic meant he could not fly from his home in New York City and needed to find an alternative way to treat her.

He visited the website for Forbes On The Lane in Whitley, which is delivering meals to elderly people unable to leave their homes.

He arranged for them to send a three-course meal to his mother – though it was a few days later as he missed the delivery slot for Mother’s Day.

He was delighted not just with the delivery, but the efforts of staff afterwards.

Ian said: “It’s the extra things after this that have really stood out to me making them a fine example of a great business serving their community.

“Once they delivered the meal, they messaged me to let me know and to tell me that my mother was doing well which is comforting.

“They went further to ask if she had necessary support, needed care and suggested local resources in Wigan that could help if needed. This was incredibly helpful.

“Then, to top it off, I received a message from the restaurant saying how they were touched by my story and they were going to deliver my mother a complimentary Sunday roast.

“This is so generous of them especially at a time when so many restaurants and businesses are struggling.

“I feel it is my duty to point out those who step up in times of need and do what is right for the community and would like for Forbes to receive some recognition for their services.”

Forbes delivered the roast dinner and a bottle of red wine on Sunday, along with a creme brulee as a further surprise, and sent a message to Ian to let him know how she was.

He said: “Having battled cancer this past year and only recently overcoming it, she has gone from someone who would go out hiking twice a week with her friends all over the North West, to being housebound and left with a weak immune system. This means she can rarely go out and now, due to coronavirus, is on lockdown.

“So having a restaurant meal delivered to her is something special.

“I would like to add that Forbes are standing out as a real pillar of the community.”

Rene Heyes, who owns Forbes with her partner Russell Jervis, said she offered to take the meal to Anna on Sunday as she was delivering food to her own mother in Norley.

And she is so keen to support her that she has now pledged to deliver meals to her every week.

Rene said: “It touched me that he got in contact with us all the way from New York and he is a fellow Wiganer and wanted to do this nice gesture for his mum.

“Even though it wasn’t Mother’s Day, he wanted to do something and treat her so she knew he was thinking of her and brighten up her day.

“We feel sorry for the elderly because they have never experienced anything like this.”

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