This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-47611453

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Man's 400-mile drive to help stranger visit dying mother Man's 400-mile drive to help stranger visit dying mother
(about 20 hours later)
A driver made a 400-mile detour to help a stranger pay a last visit to her dying mother.A driver made a 400-mile detour to help a stranger pay a last visit to her dying mother.
Ron and Sharleen Gillies were driving from their Edinburgh home to Cambridge when they had a minor accident on the A19 near Stockton-on-Tees.Ron and Sharleen Gillies were driving from their Edinburgh home to Cambridge when they had a minor accident on the A19 near Stockton-on-Tees.
Dean Moore saw them by the side of the road and, hearing Mrs Gillies' mother was in her final hours, drove them to Cambridge in time to say goodbye.Dean Moore saw them by the side of the road and, hearing Mrs Gillies' mother was in her final hours, drove them to Cambridge in time to say goodbye.
He said: "I just did what anyone else would have done."He said: "I just did what anyone else would have done."
After dropping them off after the 200-mile trip, the 40-year-old, from North Ormesby turned round and drove the 200 miles back, refusing all offers of payment. After dropping them off after the 200-mile trip, the 40-year-old, from North Ormesby, turned round and drove the 200 miles back, refusing all offers of payment.
Died next dayDied next day
Ron Gillies told the Gazette: "I just can't put into words what that lad did for us.Ron Gillies told the Gazette: "I just can't put into words what that lad did for us.
"This happened on the Sunday and she died the next day, she died on Monday - if it hadn't been for Dean there's a fair chance we would have not got there in time."This happened on the Sunday and she died the next day, she died on Monday - if it hadn't been for Dean there's a fair chance we would have not got there in time.
"People get awards for various things and they are just doing their job, whereas this lad, it wasn't his job, he didn't know us from Adam.""People get awards for various things and they are just doing their job, whereas this lad, it wasn't his job, he didn't know us from Adam."
You may also be interested in:
Mr Moore said he was on his way home when he spotted the couple's car.Mr Moore said he was on his way home when he spotted the couple's car.
He said: "They seemed to be in a bit of shock and were on the phone to the insurance company, but it didn't seem to be taking account of their special circumstances.He said: "They seemed to be in a bit of shock and were on the phone to the insurance company, but it didn't seem to be taking account of their special circumstances.
'Stopped for wee''Stopped for wee'
"So I said, 'the car is just a bit of metal, the important thing is for you to see your mam'."So I said, 'the car is just a bit of metal, the important thing is for you to see your mam'.
"I drove them down, it took about four hours, got there before midnight, popped in for a wee then turned round and came straight back."I drove them down, it took about four hours, got there before midnight, popped in for a wee then turned round and came straight back.
"I was knackered at work the next day.""I was knackered at work the next day."
Mr Gillies rang him up afterwards to thank him, but Mr Moore said it was just what anyone else would have done.Mr Gillies rang him up afterwards to thank him, but Mr Moore said it was just what anyone else would have done.
"They were stuck in a bad situation, I just made it a little better," he said."They were stuck in a bad situation, I just made it a little better," he said.
"I don't deserve such a fuss being made, I just want to drift off into the background."I don't deserve such a fuss being made, I just want to drift off into the background.
"But I obviously left a good impression of the area and I'm glad about that.""But I obviously left a good impression of the area and I'm glad about that."