Skegness taxi firm praised for helping mum and young twins with serious health conditions

The act of generosity also saw other businesses in the town coming together to support the heart-warming effort.

After arriving in August, Leicestershire mum Sarah, 31, and twins Oliver and Mia, aged three, ordered a taxi from Lincs Coast Taxis.

What started as a routine pick-up for the firm’s owner, Mark Johnson, turned into a much more memorable encounter.

“It was one of those days that puts absolutely everything into perspective,” Mark recalls. "It was unusually late for an arrival so I asked them why they were here so late, and the answer floored me.

"Sarah explained that Oliver had to go the hospital earlier that day, and then told me about his brain tumour. That was it, I was in bits.”

Oliver has sadly been diagnosed with two separate brain tumours and is preparing for another course of chemotherapy. He also has mobility difficulties, impaired vision and partial hearing loss. All three family members have a rare genetic condition called neurofibromatosis, where tumours grow on nerve tissue, leading to pain. It can also affect bone development. Mia now requires surgery to her skull and eye socket. Oliver also requires surgery, but because of his ongoing cancer treatment, that procedure has been delayed.

After waiving their taxi fare, Mark thendecided to arrange a special day of fun activities in the town – in what has been praised as an extraordinary act of kindness.

“With the help of some local businesses, we had the privilege of treating a very special young family to a day where, hopefully, hospital appointments, treatments, operations and worry could take a back seat for a few hours,” Mark said.

“Sarah is currently unable to work because of the enormous amount of time the twins have spent - and will continue to spend - in hospital.

“Despite everything, she managed to pay for their holidayto give Oliver and Mia a chance to get away and make some happy memories together. But when you’re already dealing with so much, the additional costs of transport, attractions, and everything else that comes with a family holiday can quickly add up. So we decided we’d remove as many of those worries as we could. No taxi fares. No worrying about getting from place to place. And, with some help from some wonderful local businesses, a proper fun-packed day out.”

On Thursday, August 20, Mark, along with his partner and daughter, joined the family on a day of activities including bowling, arcades, a trip to the zoo, treats, games and “lots of silliness”.

“Seeing Oliver and Mia laughing, playing and enjoying themselves? That’s something I’ll remember for a very long time,” Marks adds.

Speaking to the Standard, Sarah said: “It was an amazing day seeing their faces so happy. They have come home with so many memories they keep talking about. Mark is amazing, and what he did was overwhelming. It’s really nice to know there are some lovely people out there.”

She added: "I am lucky I have an amazing family at home that support me, but things are still incredibly hard.”

Mark posted about his experience with the family on Facebook to thank the businesses who had supported them. The post has since been viewed almost a million times, with 70,000 likes, shares and comments.

“That Thursday showed us is there are families coming to Skegness who are dealing with circumstances most of us couldn’t begin to imagine,” Mark said. “For some of those families, simply getting away for a few days is a huge achievement.

“I watched two three year-olds who have an incredibly difficult road ahead of them laughing, playing and smiling. That was enough.”

Mark thanked the following businesses for supporting them on the day: Funland Amusements, Empire Skegness, Lincolnshire Wildlife Park and Skegness Natureland Seal Sanctuary.

He has now set up a GoFundMe page to support the family as the twins prepare for further surgery and chemotherapy, aiming to raise £500.