A woman helps a husband and dog stay warm in the middle of the night in Darlington

As Lee Rowland of Darlington was driving home from work at around 2:30am Monday morning (May 22), she noticed an elderly man and his dog waiting at a bus stop on North Road.

Realizing immediately that something was wrong, she stopped and asked the man if he needed help.

Ms Rowland, who works as a truck driver, called the police and while they waited for them, she got elderly man Phil and his dog Ted into her car to keep warm.

Phil and Ted were at a bus stop on North Road at 2:30am on Monday 22nd May before a Good Samaritan helped them. Image: Lee Rowland (Image: Lee Rowland)

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Ms Rowland told The Northern Echo: “I saw him and I knew it wasn’t right because there are no buses at 2:30am and I just knew I had to turn around and see if he was okay goes.”

“He was quite confused and we chatted trying to figure out if he had his keys or anything with his address. He cried and the dog cried, it was freezing.

“He asked me to drop him off but I knew there was more going on so I called the police and sat in my car warm up for about half an hour until they showed up.

“He wanted the dog to have the comfy seat and he sat in the back, God bless him.”

Luckily Phil and Ted are home now. Image: Lee Rowland (Image: Lee Rowland)

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Ms Rowland posted about the incident on the You Know You’re From Darlo When Facebook group.

She wrote: “Around 2:30 this morning on my way home from work I saw an elderly gentleman and his dog Ted sitting at a bus stop.

“I didn’t like it so I went around the roundabout and went back to see it.

“They were both shaking so bad and Ted the dog was crying and hugging me so tight.

“After putting both of them in my car and turning on the heater, I called the police.

“We had a good chat for half an hour while waiting for the police as the elderly gentleman was very confused.

“If you know who he is it might be worth ringing Darlington Police Station as he gave me and them three different addresses. He had no keys, wallet or phone and did not know his own name.

“He was a lovely man and a pleasure to chat with.

“As for the dog Ted, I fell in love instantly.

“I hope they come home.”

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The act of kindness touched the local community and her post was shared 326 times.

Peter Giroux said: “You are an absolute angel, well done for doing the right thing.”

Jackie Turnbull said: “Well done, what a beautiful thing, thank goodness.”

Ingrid McLean said, “It’s nice to know there are some nice people out there.”

Ms Rowland has now become something of a local celebrity after being recognized at her local Asda when a shopper approached her and said: “How is he?”

Within 24 hours of Ms Rowland posting about it, she posted an update that read: “I managed to get Phil’s address. I was just over with him and Ted. What a lovely couple. Both are happy to see me and are very grateful.

“Phil remembered who I was, which was nice. I said I’d stop by for a cup of coffee every now and then.”