This Morning viewers left ‘heartbroken’ by elderly caller who hasn’t had visitors since March
87-year-old Margaret returned home from hospital the day before the first lockdown began in March
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This Morning viewers have sent their love to an elderly lonely caller who hasn’t seen another person since March.
On Wednesday’s show (18 November), presenters Phillip Schofield and Alison Hammond were joined by Brian Connelly as they received a call from 87-year-old Margaret in Doncaster who wanted to chat to some “happy people”.
Describing herself as a “sociable” but “very elderly lady”, Margaret said that she broke her hip during a bad fall last year, only getting out of hospital the day before the first coronavirus lockdown began in March.
As a result, she has been on her own for eight months without seeing another person beyond a nurse who visited her once.
“I live in a very lonely area, there’s only eight houses… and not one neighbour’s come to see me,” she told the presenters. “Things aren’t sociable now the way they were when we were young.”
The conversation proved to be an emotional one for This Morning viewers, many of whom said could feel their “hearts breaking” for Margaret.
“Oh gosh, not one neighbour has visited this lovely lady,” one viewer commented. “Margaret my heart breaks for you. I would love to be your neighbour to check in on you for a chat. Sending you lots of happiness and wish you well.”
A flurry of messages also appeared online from viewers who said that they would gladly volunteer to talk to Margaret.
“Happy to give Margaret my number. She sounds lovely,” one viewer commented, while another tweeted: “I would be so happy to talk to Margaret!!!! She sounds absolutely lovely I’d have a chat.”
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“I am watching now and would love to speak to Margaret. I really feel for her as I have also been isolating since March,” another viewer wrote. “I am lucky to have my partner tho. Please let me know if I can help.”
“I’ll be Margaret’s friend and phone her daily,” one tweet read. “We cannot let people suffer with loneliness.”
If you or anyone you know is struggling with the issues mentioned in this article, you can ring the Age UK Advice Line from 8am to 7pm on 0800 678 1602 or visit www.ageuk.org.uk
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