In a heartwarming turn of events, a man who was abandoned on a stranger’s doorstep in 1960 has been joyfully reunited with the elderly woman who discovered him. This emotional reunion took place on the show “Long Lost Family: Born Without Trace,” where Harvey Shackell, now 63, expressed his immense gratitude towards the woman, Vera Wood, for saving his life all those years ago.
Harvey was found as a newborn wrapped in brown paper inside a cardboard box outside the home of Mr. and Mrs. Wood in Middlesex. Vera, now 88, shared the details of her discovery, explaining how she found him and brought him inside, ultimately contacting the police. She revealed that she had even tried to keep Harvey as a baby, but unfortunately, it was not possible.
Harvey, overwhelmed with emotion, thanked Vera and acknowledged that he wouldn’t be here today without her intervention. Vera had always wondered about Harvey’s whereabouts and had tirelessly searched for him after he was taken away. However, Harvey reassured her that he had been fortunate enough to be fostered and adopted by a loving family.
During their reunion, Vera shared a photograph taken at the time when she discovered Harvey, expressing her contentment that she had finally seen him again. The show also revealed that Vera and her husband had expressed an interest in adopting Harvey, as reported in the Daily Herald and The Mirror.
Emotional reunion between a man and the elderly woman who discovered him
Following his discovery, Harvey was taken to Hillingdon Hospital and then fostered and adopted by the Shackell family. Although he has had a good life with his adoptive family, he always wondered about his birth family. His search became more active when he launched a newspaper appeal.
With no substantial leads, Harvey went back to the doorstep where he was found, realizing it was his only connection to his past. However, Vera no longer lived at that address. Surprisingly, it was revealed that Vera had appeared on ITV’s Surprise Surprise in 1988 to seek information about the baby left on her doorstep.
Meanwhile, through DNA testing, it was discovered that Harvey had two older full siblings. Unfortunately, both birth parents had passed away, and one sibling opted not to be identified. But Harvey’s sister, Cherry, was thrilled to be found.
Harvey Shackell, discovered on a doorstep in Middlesex
During their meeting, Cherry revealed that their birth mother had no control over Harvey’s abandonment and believed he would be taken to a safe place. The siblings were struck by their physical resemblance and found solace in their reunion.
Interestingly, it was also revealed that Harvey and Cherry’s father had multiple relationships, resulting in a total of nineteen children. Some of them had been placed in children’s homes before being adopted. Harvey had the opportunity to video call some of his half-siblings, celebrating their reconnection despite the years of separation.
Harvey now looks forward to a future with his newfound big family, a dream he never thought would come true.
“Long Lost Family: Born Without Trace” airs on ITV1 and ITVX at 9pm.
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