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Interesting Piece on BBC - Would you do it?

24 replies

LoveLaugh · 25/12/2025 07:40

Who do you think is the Hero in this amazing story, Ronnie or the couple or all of them?

We invited a man into our home at Christmas and he stayed with us for 45 years

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdxwllqz1l0o

Christmas is often regarded as a time for goodwill, but one young UK couple's act of kindness 50 years ago changed their lives forever.

On 23 December 1975, Rob Parsons and his wife Dianne were preparing for Christmas at their Cardiff home when they heard a knock at the door.

On their doorstep stood a man with a bin bag containing his possessions in his right hand and a frozen chicken in his left.

Rob studied the man's face and vaguely remembered him as Ronnie Lockwood, someone he would occasionally see at Sunday School as a boy and who he was told to be kind to as he was a "bit different".

"I said 'Ronnie, what's with the chicken?' He said 'somebody gave it to me for Christmas'. And then I said two words that changed all of our lives.

"And I'm not exactly sure why I said them. I said come in."

Aged just 27 and 26 years old at the time, the couple felt compelled to take Ronnie, who was autistic, under their wing.

They cooked his chicken, let him bathe and agreed to let him stay for Christmas.

What began as an act of compassion turned into an unique companionship of love and compromise that lasted 45 years, until the day Ronnie died.

Photograph of Ronnie Lockwood wearing a Christmas cracker hat.

Cardiff couple invited man in for Christmas, he stayed for 45 years

An arrangement Rob and Dianne Parsons thought would last a few days ended up changing their lives.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdxwllqz1l0o

OP posts:
DisplayPurposesOnly · 25/12/2025 07:44

That is so lovely.

cancerycaramelbear · 25/12/2025 07:45

I thought it was an incredible story. They were all heroes. They must have had such a strong marriage, it sounds like it wasn’t easy over the years.

hattie43 · 25/12/2025 07:47

I think it’s a wonderful story but would I do it no . There was a man on our local news who was taken in and murdered the mother . You just don’t know people and sadly there are some wronguns.

Meadowfinch · 25/12/2025 07:50

No. I am a single mother with a child. My first duty is to protect my child, and inviting a random stranger into his home is simply not a responsible thing to do. The risks are too great.
That doesn't mean I don't admire them tremendously.

ZookeeperSE · 25/12/2025 07:53

Oh my goodness, I am actually teary reading that, and I’m not usually the sentimental kind. They’re all heroes, aren’t they? They actually managed, almost without thinking it seems, to be the people lots of us would want to be but can’t quite manage. Wonderful story - would make a fabulous film!

Greenpeanutsnail · 25/12/2025 07:59

I’ve just finished reading the book. Highly recommend it.

CarterBeatsTheDevil · 25/12/2025 07:59

They didn't have children when he turned up.

I wouldn't have done it, myself, but it was a very kind thing that they did.

Greenpeanutsnail · 25/12/2025 08:00

Interesting the article says Ronnie was autistic. There’s no mention of that in the book. Book says he was never officially diagnosed with anything, although it was clear that he had a learning disability.

Enko · 25/12/2025 08:01

Rob Parsons is on the stompcast (podcast) telling this story there is a mention if him being ND but not specified.

AnnaQuayInTheUk · 25/12/2025 08:02

I read that piece a few hours ago. They sound like an amazing couple.

I would love to think I would have done the same, but the reality is I wouldn't.

I'd love to read the book.

AnnaQuayInTheUk · 25/12/2025 08:06

I've just looked the couple up on Google and apparently he (Rob Parsons) is a well known Christian writer. I imagine their faith informed their decisions. Christian in the very best sense

Chinaandbrass · 25/12/2025 08:12

I was in tears reading this!
born and raised in Cardiff - there’s an undercurrent of kindness in that city that I struggle to feel where I live now.

Meredusoleil · 25/12/2025 08:35

That is unbelievably touching😥

Britneyfan · 25/12/2025 08:45

What kind people

Twelvetimes · 25/12/2025 08:54

What a lovely story, thank you for posting the link.

Would I have done it ... I doubt it and I don't think many would. But it is so heartwarming that there are such kind people out there.

LoveLaugh · 25/12/2025 19:30

Twelvetimes · 25/12/2025 08:54

What a lovely story, thank you for posting the link.

Would I have done it ... I doubt it and I don't think many would. But it is so heartwarming that there are such kind people out there.

You are welcome. I agree that I might not have done it despite finding it so heartwarming.... amazingly kind people..

OP posts:
Ontobetterthings · 25/12/2025 20:25

Read the book and it was such an interesting story. They are amazing people.

GameofPhones · 25/12/2025 20:32

hattie43 · 25/12/2025 07:47

I think it’s a wonderful story but would I do it no . There was a man on our local news who was taken in and murdered the mother . You just don’t know people and sadly there are some wronguns.

I know of two cases where this happened. It's not a straightforward question of compassion.

NotrialNodeal · 25/12/2025 20:37

One of the best stories I've ever read. Thanks for posting!

Twelvetimes · 25/12/2025 20:40

Due to the illness of a couple of relatives, I have come into contact with multiple people in the caring professions in the past ten years. Most of them were absolutely amazing and it was an honour to know them. I think they get a lot 'back' (if you see what I mean), which is why they can do it. Kindness breeds kindness.

WhitegreeNcandle · 25/12/2025 20:43

I’d love to read the book. What’s it called?

SollozzoMightNotBeInTheCarSonny · 25/12/2025 20:44

WhitegreeNcandle · 25/12/2025 20:43

I’d love to read the book. What’s it called?

A Knock at the Door by Rob Parsons.

Greenpeanutsnail · 25/12/2025 20:44

Edited as question already answered.

Meredusoleil · 25/12/2025 21:00

I've requested the book from the local library.

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