Yarmouth business cheers up visitor

By Press Release Jul 26, 2021

By Mal Butler

A Yarmouth business has presented a disabled man with a photo of its own Helly Hansen window-display to remind him of his trips to the West Wight.

Michael Breare, 24, has cerebral palsy, complex epilepsy, autism, learning difficulties and has a cognitive ability of a seven-year-old child. He lives in an assisted living care home in Sutton but regularly visits the town to see mum, Susie. She explained: “Poor Mikey hadn’t been able to come to Yarmouth for a year because of the pandemic, and has been in and out of hospital so many times recently. Each time, he has to isolate for 10 days because he lives in the home.

“He absolutely loves the lifeboat and we are so lucky that the Yarmouth RNLI crew have looked after him and given him tours around the boat when they can.

“When he saw the Helly Hansen artwork in the Harwoods’ window he was blown away by it. We went in and chatted to Danny Arthur, the shop manager, who got permission from Helly Hansen to have it reproduced. He then went to JCB Imaging in Freshwater where he had a photograph printed and framed.

“When it was presented to Mikey, he broke down in tears. It was a fantastic gesture by Harwoods. It’s now hanging proudly on his bedroom wall in his care home room. It was such a kind thought and shows that come good can come out of Covid.”