Brighten Your Day

Hundreds Gather To Give Terminally-Ill Father An Early Christmas Surprise

October 7, 2021

Christmas came early for a young father who was recently diagnosed with an incurable brain tumor.

Photo via Worcester News

More than 200 people showed up to the home of Matthew Sandbrook in Warndon, Worcester.

The father-of-three was expecting a small gathering to celebrate Christmas with loved ones, but friends arranged carol singing, decorations and even a snow machine.

Photo via Worcester News

Sandbrook's cousin Nikki said she wanted make his last Christmas a good one.

"It's all happened very quickly, his time's been cut short and his very close family decided to move Christmas Day to today so he can celebrate it with his close loved ones, his boys, his partner," she said.

Photo via Worcester News

Attendees sang Ben E King's "Stand By Me" as the family came out of the house before singing popular Christmas tunes.

A particularly moving moment came when those gathered pointed their phone lights to the sky and sang along to Snow Patrol's "Run".

Photo via Worcester News

"We have really brought the Christmas spirit to Warndon - we really did it," Nikki told Worcester News.

"I can't believe it. All that hard work, sleepless nights and text messages to my best friend Sam asking 'Can we do this?' has been worth it.... Thank you to everyone - it meant the world to them."

Another neighbor said it was "so overwhelming" to see the community come together.