Holiday to Barbados is a dream come true ...thank you so much (From Southend Standard)
Get involved: send your pictures, video, news and views by texting ECHONEWS to 80360, or email us Click here for details »
Holiday to Barbados is a dream come true ...thank you so much
8:00am Wednesday 11th July 2012 in Echo News By Emma Palmer
Nice gift – Emma Bruton receives keys to Barbados apartment from Tower owners Bernard and Nikki Litman, with limo supplied by Cloud9 Limousines owner Steve Leeds. Emma’s friend Vicky Saunders and Emma’s mum Helen and sister Rebecca are also pictured
A YOUNG woman battling a brain tumour will jet off on the holiday of a lifetime – and it’s all thanks to a big-hearted stranger.
Emma Bruton, 22, has been given an all expenses paid two-week trip to the Caribbean thanks to a generous businessman and his wife, who read about Emma’s plight in the Echo.
Bernard and Nikki Litman decided they wanted to help after reading how Emma, of Vange Hill Drive, Vange, was given just two years to live after being diagnosed with a brain tumour the size of an orange.
The couple, who live in Benfleet, have organised for Emma, her mum and her carer to stay at a five-star beachfront penthouse, close the famous Sandy Lane resort.
They have also paid for first-class flights for Emma, her mum and her carer, a limousine to the airport and even her own personal chef at the deluxe apartment.
The amazing act of generosity comes after Bernard, who owns electric goods business, Tower Radio, was inspired to do what he could to ensure Emma enjoyed whatever time she has left.
Bernard, who is also chairman of the company which has six branches in Vange, Rayleigh, Hadleigh, Canvey, Harlow and one in Hertfordshire, said: “Emma and her companions will be staying in a magnificent beachfront penthouse on the Platinum west coast of Barbados and will be within a few metres of the golden sand and crystal blue sea that the island is famous for.”
Nikki added: “I have children of a similar age to Emma, including a 22-year-old daughter called Emma, so her story really hit home.
“I have been astounded by her continued bravery and determination to enjoy life to the full and she is a real inspiration to us all.
“We are delighted to be able to offer her the chance to have a dream holiday, where she can escape everyday life, take time out to relax and be pampered like she deserves.”
Emma, who had dreamt of becoming a hairdresser before she was diagnosed last Boxing Day, has endured four bouts of chemotherapy and had surgery to remove 90 per cent of the tumour.
She has been left unable to move her right side and relies on a wheelchair.
Emma said: “I am overwhelmed by the support people have given me, especially my friends, family and of course the team at Tower Radio for helping organise my trip.
“It’s been an extremely tough year for me and it’s not always easy to stay positive. This holiday to Barbados is a dream come true and I am really looking forward to being pampered.
“I’ve only ever been to Spain before.
“If I thanked Bernard and Nikki a million times, it still wouldn’t be enough.”
