A DEDICATED Barrow dad who took on his partner’s four children after their own dad died was treated to a special breakfast on Father’s Day after his kids nominated him to win an Evening Mail competition.
In a bid to give a boost to a Furness family, Marks & Spencer store manager Simon Craig kindly donated a hamper of goodies to give one local dad a fabulous fry-up on Father’s Day.
Through a competition in the Evening Mail, youngsters nominated their dads to win the competition and the entries were a mix of inspiring and heart-breaking stories.
Some of our devoted dads were praised for saving lives, looking after disabled children and one who looked after three kids as well as working full-time while their mum worked away for six months.
Others were described as a child’s “rock” while many were nominated simply for being “full of fun”.
There was one entrant though whose story touched all the hearts of those on the judging panel – that sent in by six youngsters whose dad Grant Shears does everything he can to encourage all his children.
In his entry, eight-year-old Sam Thompson said: “My dad Grant Shears has took the role of being our dad after we sadly lost our dad two years ago.
“He is a an amazing person to us and cares for us dearly. Grant has two other children so in total there are six of us children. Grant is always there for support us when we need it and always encouraging us to do well in life.”
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Grant’s partner, Louise Thompson, has four children of her own – 13-year-old Spencer, 11-year-old Paddy, eight-year-old Sam and six-year-old Charlie – while Grant has 12-year-old Lewis and between them they have a sixth, three-year-old Joshua whose favourite game with daddy is hide and seek.
And with them attending four different schools, St Bernard's, Furness Academy, Greengate Juniors and Parkside GGI, Grant's school runs are managed with military precision.
At their home in Ramsden Street yesterday, the children helped out mum Louise to cook Grant a full English breakfast with the ingredients from Marks & Spencer including bacon, sausages, black pudding, bubble and squeak cakes, mushrooms, tomatoes, toast, fresh orange juice, and tea and coffee.
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