'I can finally breathe again' - kindhearted strangers help mother move

Heather Flack moved into temporary housing in Shenley Road, Borehamwood, with her children Corban, ten, and Madison, four, two years ago.

The 29-year-old, who previously lived in Milton Keynes, had to juggle the pressures of being a single mother with her job as a carer, which left her with no time to make friends.

But when she was offered a permanent home in Micklefield Way, Borehamwood, on Friday, instead of feeling excited, she felt terrified about the prospect of moving “completely alone”.

With little money to buy necessities and no friends to ask for help, she turned to Facebook group What’s coming to the Wood to see if anybody could offer support.

The post was seen by Kelly Kent and her sister, Christine Tierney – and Ms Flack could never have expected what would come next.

Suddenly, people across the community offered to help and a troop of 30 total strangers spent Monday helping haul her boxes and bags to her new home.

Ms Flack said: “I feel like these past few days have been a surreal whirlwind. I can barely find the words to thank everyone.

“It sounds dramatic, but this time last week I sat on the stairs crying surrounded by all my things and I felt embarrassed asking for help, but I thought it was worth a shot.

“Stuff like this doesn’t happen to people like me. I’ve been sat in my little flat for the last 18 months feeling isolated, alone and unstable without any friends and now this.”

The mother of two says daughter Madison offered to pay the helpers with her pocket money and Corban has been on “cloud nine” ever since.

Labour Councillor Richard Butler, Cllr Michelle Vince and officers at Borehamwood Police Station, who all rolled up their sleeves to help haul boxes.

Kenny Howe allowed her to use his van, the town's Jewish community gave her an oven, and others donated new bedding and toys for the children.

A kindly man handed over £100 in cash, a woman gave her a lawnmower and kitted out her cupboards with groceries, one offered her a free flat screen television while another bought her a well-needed bottle of wine.

And with a stable roof over her head and the support of her newfound friends, Ms Flack is looking forward to starting her nursing degree at the University of Hertfordshire later this year.

Ms Flack added: “The absolute champions in this are Kelly Kent and Christine Tierney. I’m not a crier but I have done a lot of crying recently.

“These kind-hearted strangers are like Borehamwood warriors, and angels. They are wonderful people who go above and beyond, and take joy out of helping.

“They worked relentlessly and tirelessly. We’ve gone from nothing to this now feel like we matter. It feels like I can breathe again. I feel like a local celebrity.”

Now she wants to reach out to other people in her situation and hopes her story proves there is no shame in asking for help.

She added: “I am a community-spirited person and I hope that nobody lets any of their neighbours go cold or hungry.

“Borehamwood is a brilliant place and there doesn’t have to be a taboo in asking for support. I’ll now be paying it forward in any way I can.”