Christmas is a time that many families cherish. It’s a special time of the year that extends beyond just Christmas day, but to a whole season. For some, Christmas is the best time of year and it’s something we look forward to sharing with our loved ones for years to come.
But for those of a certain age or who’ve been dealt an unlucky hand in life, they may not have years to come to enjoy the holiday season.
While it’s true that none of us know what the future holds or when our last day on earth will be, there are some who’ve received a diagnosis that they won’t survive to see another Christmas.
That was the case for Matthew Sandbrook of Warndon, Worcester. The 36-year-old father of three loves Christmas and wanted nothing more than to spend it with his kids and partner, Becki. Sadly, he was recently diagnosed with an aggressive glioblastoma brain tumor.
The tumor was incurable and doctors estimated Sandbrook had 3 months left to live – meaning, he wouldn’t live to see another Christmas.
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Matthew’s cousin, Nikki, wanted to do anything she could to help, so she got on social media and put out a plea to help bring an early Christmas to Mattew. The community responded beautifully, and hundreds of people gathered outside the Sandbrook home to bring some holiday cheer and celebrate with Mattew one last time.
Tom Rean was at the special event and filmed the whole thing to share with the world. The celebration included carol singing, decorations, and even a snow machine. Some people dressed up in Christmas-themed costumes and others brought Christmas decor.
“We have really brought the Christmas spirit to Warndon – we really did it,” Nikki said to Worcester News.
The event was full of laughs, tears, and joy.
Matt said he plans to spend the rest of his days making memories with his kids and family. He added, “I dont want anyone to feel sad for me when the time comes. [Just] have a beer an give me a smile.”
Watch the video below to see the early Christmas gathering: