Key worker gifted new flooring following a devastating flood in her Edinburgh home

In 2019 the dedicated paramedic had to quit the job she loved due to a back injury at the same time as her husband Stuart was have redundant.

The couple then suffered the devastating blow when they were informed their pet dog needed surgery costing over £1,000.

Already struggling financially the couple were left ‘shattered’ when their Baberton home flooded twice in less than two months leaving their living room floor destroyed.

Ms McVie said: “Early in 2019 I had to leave the job I loved as a paramedic due to a back injury and after five months off, I had to take an office-based role in the control room.

“At the same time, Stuart had been made redundant from his job and then in July 2019, just as we thought things were settling down, including Stuart finding a new job, water got into our home after heavy rain caused a field behind our home to be flooded.

“Six weeks later, and we were just about to refurbish the house when it was flooded again as a result of more heavy rain.

“Then, after saving up enough money to buy the flooring we needed for the damaged parts of our house, our ten-year-old dog Sam had to have an operation which cost over £1,000 and used up all our funds.”

But after the pattern of terrible luck the family now had a reason to be cheerful.

After an Edinburgh flooring retailer heard about the couples horrible year they decided to step in and provide support.

Flooring Superstore, on the Seafield Road Retail Park has donated flooring which has helped Ms McVie and her husband finally put flooring down in the living room of their home.

Flooring Superstore Regional Manager Greig Anderson said: “When we heard what Ali and Stuart had been through over the last 12 months, we just knew we had to help them in some way.”

The floor has now been fitted by Steven Branley Joinery and the couple are delighted with their turn of luck.

The grateful couple said: “We couldn’t believe it when Flooring Superstore offered to help. They were so generous and kind and even sent us a gift hamper as well.”

“It’s hard to describe how bad 2019 was for us and then Covid-19 happened this year and as key workers we have worked throughout the lockdown and fixed up the house in between this.

“We wouldn’t have been able to afford the flooring we liked without their help and now it has been fitted, we couldn’t be happier.”

Store manager Mr Anderson added: “We only opened our Edinburgh store a few years ago and have been pleased to be able to support

a few local charities and schools with donations of flooring, so to now have been able to support Ali and Stuart after such an horrendous year is fantastic and we wish them the very best of luck in the future. They certainly deserve it.”

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