Loch Lomond hotel workers drive 800 miles to return bag to elderly guest with Parkinson's

A hotel worker drove 800 miles to return a bag with personal items to an elderly woman and her husband with Parkinson’s after they left it behind by accident.

Andrew Leggett, general manager of the Queen of the Loch pub on Loch Lomond, received a call on Wednesday, October 3, from an upset guest who had left her handbag.

As her husband had Parkinson’s, and they were already halfway home to Reading in the south of England, the couple were unable to return to retrieve the bag.

Mr Leggett, 40, was told there were personal items in the bag — including a diary for hospital appointments —so he suggested he drive the 800-mile round trip to Reading to return the bag in person.

Andrew and Adam made the trip together. Andrew Leggett via Supplied

Andrew, accompanied by colleague Adam Davidson, said he didn’t mind taking the trip, which was seven hours on the way down and 13 and a half on the way back, to return the bag, as it was his “day off”.

“She was quite upset”, Andrew told STV News.

“There was personal, valuable belongings in the bag. Some expensive things, including perfume from a family member who, unfortunately, isn’t with them anymore.

“There was also a diary that she had kept her whole life, and it had some hospital appointments in it.

“She never asked me to drive down with the bag. Her husband had Parkinson’s, so that was one of the reasons I wanted to return it to them in person.

“We met her at a pub just outside Reading. She was very emotional and grateful.

“It was a nightmare getting back, and I didn’t get in until half four in the morning. I was straight back to work at ten, but it was worth it.”