Son, 23, is reunited with his father, 67, for the first time in 12 years after launching a public appeal using a photo taken 20 years ago – and discovers he lives just 10 minutes away
- Jason Kelly, 23, from Tuebrook, Liverpool, hadn’t seen dad David since he was 12
- David’s marriage broken down to Jason’s mum and he was known to sleep rough
- Christmas Eve Jason called at home David, 67, was rumoured to have been living
A son desperately searching for his long lost dad was reunited with him in a Christmas Eve ‘miracle’ after more than a decade apart – and discovered he lived just 10 minutes away.
Jason Kelly, 23, from Tuebrook, Liverpool, hadn’t seen his dad, David Kelly, since he was 12 after his parents’ marriage broke down.
David, 67, was known to have slept rough in Liverpool for many years after he left the family home.
The Liverpool Echo ran Jason’s story on Wednesday December 23, featuring the only photo he had of his dad, which was taken in the late 1990s.
Somebody recognised David and gave him an address where they knew he was staying.
On Christmas Eve, Jason called at the home where his dad had been rumoured to be living for the past few years.
Jason Kelly, 23, from Tuebrook, Liverpool, was reunited with his long lost dad David, 67, on Christmas Eve – after more than a decade apart. Pictured, together
The Liverpool Echo ran Jason’s story on Wednesday December 23, featuring the only photo he had of his dad, which was taken in the late 1990s (pictured)
Jason said a woman in her 70s answered the door and confirmed his dad lived at the address but he was out.
As he was about to leave his number, he saw his dad returning from his morning run. Jason started to speak to his dad but the shock was so great David started to run and Jason had to chase after him.
‘I was shouting dad it’s me, Jason,’ explained Jason. ‘Eventually it started to sink in and I caught up to walk beside him.
‘When he recognised me, he stared asking after the family and he was trying to remember my birth date. At that point he didn’t want to look at me as his eyes were welling up with tears. I’m exactly the same when it comes to things like that..’
Jason said he now hopes to develop a new relationship with his dad but is taking everything slowly so as not to overwhelm him.
Jason Kelly’s dad, David Kelly, who he was reunited with on 24 December 2020, after 11 years apart
After spending Christmas Day with his mum, brother and his sister, Jason said he took a plate of Christmas dinner round to his dad’s home and gave him a mobile phone as a present so that the pair could keep in touch.
He said he wants to try to help his dad, who has lived with his friend and housemate in Wavertree for the past five years.
Despite already qualifying for his pension, Jason said his dad has never claimed any money and he wants to help him get back on his feet.
‘I’m trying to see if I can get his birth certificate,’ explained Jason. ‘He can’t access a bank account as he needs a proof of person and he doesn’t have anything.
‘On the photograph, the reason his hands are up by his eyes is he’s holding his glasses together as he’s had them about ten years.’
Jason said it was worth trying to find his dad even though he was scared he might not want to see him.
Jason added: ‘It’s a miracle really. When he was running off I thought: “Oh God.” It was the outcome I was fearing the most.
‘But to find him before Christmas was absolutely amazing. I had that in mind and it’s a miracle that it happened.’