TV surprise teacher settles into retirement holiday home gifted by Willerby

NEW HOLIDAY HOME: Willerby’s Southport Sales and Showground Manager Shane Smith presents Kath Crawley with a Willerby Owners Club welcome pack and a celebratory bottle of champagne

A retired teacher is looking forward to many years of happy memories after settling into a new holiday home gifted to her by Hull-based market leader Willerby.

Kath Crawley, 60, was surprised with the incredible gift before a live audience of seven million viewers on Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway earlier this year.

She was put forward to the hit TV show by her colleagues and pupils at St Thomas’ CE Primary School in Wigan, assisted by Mrs Crawley’s daughter, Becky, in recognition of her selfless service during her 32-year career there and unwavering commitment to her local community.

Mrs Crawley has had a family base at Avon Wood Holiday Home Park in Newby Bridge on the shores of Lake Windermere for more than 50 years and, having retired in July, she is now enjoying her new two-bedroom Willerby Brookwood at the picturesque location.

She said: “It’s hard to put into words what this means to me. The sentimental side of it is absolutely massive because, as a family, we can carry on something that my grandma Maud started 52 years ago.

“I absolutely love my new holiday home, the holiday park and everything the Lake District offers. We can now come here as a family for at least the next 20 years thanks to Willerby, the park owners, Andrew and Christine Morris, Kendal Caravans, ITV and everyone involved. I can’t thank everybody enough.”

ITV approached Willerby for the giveaway as the UK’s holiday homes brand leader and the Willerby team pulled out all the stops to help make the surprise happen live on the primetime TV show.

SURPRISE: Mrs Crawley, second left, with her daughter Becky in the studio on Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway

Mrs Crawley, who lives near Wigan, plans to spend as much time as possible in her new home from home with her partner, Paul, with visits from her son, two daughters, sister and their families.

She said: “We’ve been able to enjoy it as a family and have a post-Covid get-together, which was lovely.

“Retirement is a new chapter. I’ll be able to go up to the holiday home more, do more walking and maybe take up canoeing. We now have a lovely base to do all of that from.”

Willerby’s Southport Sales and Showground Manager Shane Smith visited Mrs Crawley at her new holiday home to hand over a Willerby Owners Club welcome pack and a celebratory bottle of champagne.

He said: “It was fantastic to meet Mrs Crawley and wish her a very happy and well-deserved retirement in her new Willerby holiday home. She has given so much to so many over the years and it’s lovely for her to receive something very special in return.

“We hope Mrs Crawley and her family enjoy many happy years in their Willerby Brookwood and we’re delighted to know it suits their needs and tastes perfectly.

“Avon Wood is a special place for the family and it’s lovely to know that they can continue a tradition going back generations in a modern and spacious Willerby holiday home.”

WELCOME: Kath Crawley, second right, with, from left, Andrew Morris (Avon Wood Holiday Home Park), Mark Molyneaux (Kendal Caravans), Soulla Molyneaux (Kendal Caravans) and Shane Smith (Willerby)

Andrew Morris, Owner of the family-run Avon Wood Holiday Home Park, worked with Lake District holiday home distributor Kendal Caravans to ensure Mrs Crawley’s previous holiday home was removed before the Brookwood was sited safely and securely, including installing the decking area.

He said: “For Avon Wood to be on national television and involved in the holiday home giveaway was lovely but definitely a surreal day at the office. A call from ITV certainly wasn’t something we expected!

“Knowing Mrs Crawley and seeing her reaction was fantastic. She was gobsmacked and we’re really pleased for her.

“This all happened during the pandemic and for it to go ahead while the holiday home industry is experiencing such high demand is immense. I’ve been on a factory tour at Willerby and know how much goes into making these holiday homes.”

Kendal Caravans ensured Mrs Crawley’s home arrived in perfect condition and was installed smoothly on site.

Managing Director Mark Molyneaux said: “Mrs Crawley has done so many good things in her career and is so deserving. It was great to be part of the giveaway to help make her retirement more enjoyable.

“Willerby have been brilliant to work with and it’s been a great team effort.”