Mother's joy as son surprises her with gift of car to replace one she sold to help launch his music career 12 years ago
'Lots of people have been saying what I’ve done is amazing, but it’s nothing compared to what my mum’s done for me over the years'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A sound engineer surprised his mother with a new car after she sold her own 12 years ago to pay for his music career.
Ross Rothero-Bourge, 30, used to travel to gigs all over the country carrying his drum kit in a trailer towed behind his old Renault Megane.
His mother Lynette Rothero, 63, realised Mr Rothero-Bourge's situation was far from ideal and traded in her recently purchased Ford StreetKa to buy him a van.
The generous gesture in 2004 left Ms Rothero much worse off financially and Mr Rothero-Bourge promised himself that one day he would replace the blue soft-top.
Mr Rothero-Bourge, from Falmouth, Cornwall, picked up the exact same model from the same year and gifted it to his mother - just as her car failed its MOT.
He recorded his journey and the handover in a video which has been watched thousands of times on Facebook.
Mr Rothero-Bourge, now a sound engineer, said: “Lots of people have been saying what I’ve done is amazing, but it’s nothing compared to what my mum’s done for me over the years.”
Ross started his career as a drummer, and would tow his kit to gigs all over the country.
“I couldn’t reverse it, it was knackering the car and was probably illegal. I was driving it all over the country for gigs and getting myself in all sorts of trouble.
“I was in desperate need of a van. Mum was worried sick I’d end up having an accident.
“She part-exchanged her car, which she’d only just bought and was the only one she’d ever owned from new, to get me a van so I’d be safer.
“Mum bought it in 2004. I’m not sure how long she had it but it was only for a year or two. She was still paying payments on it.
“She cried when she part-exed it and it absolutely ruined me.
“She had to share a car with my grandad after that. I always swore that when I could afford it, I’d make it up to my mum.”
After scouring eBay, Mr Rothero-Bourge surprised his mother with the StreetKa. Although it was not exactly the same one, it was nearly identical.
“The same colour, same year, same everything,” he said.
Mr Rothero-Bourge filmed himself driving the car to his mother’s house.
The video shows him arriving at his mother's house, where he said: “Look, did your car look like that before you left your Zumba class?”
Ms Rothero rushed outside to inspect her old car without seeing the new Ford StreetKa across the road.
Ross threw her the new keys and she looked puzzled before she started to laugh and hugged her son.
The video, which has been watched by 5,000 people, ends with the mother and son riding the new car with the top down.
Ms Rothero said: “I’m absolutely delighted. I never thought I’d see my StreetKa again in a million years. I have the best son in the whole wide world.”
SWNS
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments