OVER five years since Westbury pensioners Percy and Mary Daniells lost £600 in the collapse of Christmas hamper company Farepak, liquidators have announced that a final payment will mean savers get half their money back.
The couple had been saving for a selection of hampers to make Christmas extra special for their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They were in their eighties when their Christmas dreams were shattered by the company’s collapse in October 2006. Their daughter and granddaughter had also been part of the scheme and were even harder hit.
The Farepak collapse left a trail of misery for families across the country, many of whom were on low incomes and used the Christmas savings scheme as a way to save money for the festivities. Savers lost £37million in the collapse. Despite the devastation, Mary still remembers the support of the community at that time. “We had a lot of friends who came and brought us food and things like that. There was even a hotel who invited us to go there for Christmas day lunch which I thought was very, very nice.”
Although Mary is still upset that they were let down in the first place, she is grateful that, after six years, they will finally get some of their money back. She said, “They phoned up my granddaughter, who was the agent, and told her we would be getting some money in August or September.
“I still think they did a dirty trick on all of us. I feel sorry for pensioners who were on their own, they had no-one. I think it was disgusting. When we lost our money, we had a lot of friends and they came at Christmas and brought food and things like that. “After all this time, I didn’t think we would get anything back at all. At least we’re getting something back, it’s not the full amount, but I suppose we’ve got to be thankful for small mercies.”
Savers are expecting to receive their payout in August. Mary says, “I think we ought to frame it!”
