TV surprise teacher settles into retirement holiday home gifted by Willerby

Kath Crawley, 60, was surprised with the incredible gift before a live audience of seven million viewers on the hit ITV show 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.

The Willerby Brookwood sleeps up to six people and features a comfortable open-plan lounge, spacious kitchen and stylish breakfast bar.

Mrs Crawley, who lives near Wigan, said the design of her caravan is perfect and she plans to spend as much time as possible in her new home from home with her partner, Paul, with visits from her children, Matthew, Becky and Sophie, their partners, and her sister, Sue, and her family.

She said: “It’s truly amazing how much more modern and spacious it is compared to our previous holiday home. The furnishings are lovely and it’s so light and airy.

“I love the sliding door at the front with a patio and veranda area, as it’s like an extension and we didn’t have that before.

“It’s double glazed and has central heating, which is a first for me and means it is fully accessible whatever the weather. Our previous holiday home was single glazed and had just a gas fire.

“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 to welcome her to the Willerby family.

Shane 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.”

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.”

Website: https://springvalleypark.co.uk/

Address: Spring Valley Residential Park, Lightfoots Road, Scarborough, YO12 5NP

Contact details: Tel: 07747721591, email info@springvalleypark.co.uk