A couple who are self isolating for 12 weeks were delighted when strangers surprised them with an 'amazing' meal to celebrate their anniversary.

Sue and Clive Currie, from Hawkinge near Folkestone, were looking forward to marking their 44th wedding anniversary when the coronavirus pandemic hit, leaving them - and thousands more across the UK - trapped inside.

But to make sure their day was still memorable, their friend Claire Hall and members of Hawkinge Residents Group organised for a special meal to be delivered to their door step.

Mrs Currie, 62, said: "We've been through two years of bad health with my husband and we thought this was going to be our year.

"But then the virus broke out.

"Our friend thought there was no way we couldn't celebrate and so organised the surprise.

"We got a call to say don't make any dinner tonight and that a meal was coming to us.

"At 6.30pm the door bell went. We opened it and a box was on the step.

"It had a meal inside and two desserts and flowers. It was so lovely."

The meal consisted of rice, vegetable kebabs, halloumi and salad, plus two desserts - sticky toffee pudding and chocolate brownies.

Mrs Currie said: "The quality of the meal was amazing. They must be chefs."

The couple still don't know who delivered their food, only that their names are Craig and Sophia.

Retired Mr Currie, 64, added: "We have been isolating for nearly three weeks now, and undoubtedly the highlight of that time was when a lovely couple who we have never met called Craig and Sophia surprised us with an anniversary meal for our 44th wedding anniversary arranged unknowingly by our close friend Claire through the Hawkinge Residents Group which made our day so memorable.

"The meal looked and tasted amazing, followed by the most fantastic chocolate brownies with cream that we have ever eaten or option two sticky toffee pudding and topped up with a lovely bouquet of flowers, which l am pressing as a keepsake.

"Undoubtedly this amazingly gesture from Craig and Sophia made us feel both so emotional.

"It restores your faith in human nature and the people around us especially in these troubled times."

Mr and Mrs Currie married on March 20, 1976 at Our Lady of Good Counsel church in Hythe.

They have lived in Hawkinge for 40 years and have two children and two grandchildren.

Following a spate of ill health, including COPD and an abdominal aortic aneurysm, which required surgery, Mr Currie was sent a letter from the government telling him to stay inside for 12 weeks.

Mr Currie adds: "Everyone is going through a hard time right now, but this meal was a shining light for us."

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