A GRIEVING pensioner's smile returned when she was handed a festive gift from the Artie White Foundation.
Miriam Catley, 78, is among 12 deserving people to benefit from the charity's Grimsby Telegraph-backed 12 Days Of Christmas campaign.
Miriam, of Chester Place, Cleethorpes, was nominated by her sister-in-law Ann Woodford, who wanted to thank her for her dedication to Dennis, her brother and Miriam's husband, who died in November.
Dennis had Parkinson's disease and diabetes but his death was sudden, leaving Miriam too grief-stricken to want to celebrate Christmas.
"He had been poorly for quite a while but his death was very sudden and traumatic," said Miriam through tears.
"I thought 'I can't be bothered with Christmas' but now I feel differently. The hamper is such a lovely surprise and the pick-me-up I needed."
Dennis suffered with Parkinson's, a degenerative disease which effects the central nervous system, for 13 years and Miriam was always at his side.
Ann said: "She did such a great deal for my brother, he had been ill for such a long time but she looked after him throughout.
"She has a heart of gold and is so deserving of this."
Although the pain of her husband's death is still very raw, the gift of an Artie White hamper has made her, for the first time, look forward to Christmas with her family.
Miriam said: "They have done wonders. I cannot thank the Artie White Foundation enough.
"It is brilliant."