A WREXHAM mother was stunned by a stranger's act of kindness when she took her son out for a birthday meal earlier this week.

When Hollie Louise took her son to Hickory's Smokehouse Wrexham to celebrate his 11th birthday, she was certainly not expecting the level of generosity shown by someone she had never met before. Overwhelmed, she took to social media to track him down to express her gratitude. 

"He'd never been to Hickory's before and was really excited to try it for the first time, choosing it as his birthday treat", she said.

"The waitress came over with a birthday milkshake which I assumed was from the restaurant, but she later explained it had come from the couple who had sat at the table next to us.

Lucas with his 'birthday milkshake' at Hickory's WrexhamLewis with his 'birthday milkshake' at Hickory's Wrexham (Image: Holly Louise) "My son was over the moon and had the biggest smile on his face. He was so grateful that a stranger had done that for him.

"I was so emotional that someone we had never met would do that out of the kindness of their heart, it honestly made his day. He hasn't stopped talking about it, he went into school the next day and told all his friends and teachers.

"My son said it was the best bit of his birthday! I had to reach out on Facebook just to say thank you so he knew what an impact he had on my son."

The kind stranger, Matthew Alan Edwards from Wrexham, explained that it had also been his birthday on the same day and was out celebrating with his partner when they noticed Hollie and son Lewis Jacob enjoying themselves.

Joking that 'the best are born on December 2', Matthew said: "I support kids with emotional behavioural difficulties around his age as a job and volunteer with army cadets In Wrexham.

"I’d just finished a shift which was challenging and I overheard him saying it was his first time at Hickory's and it was his birthday so I decided as it was also my birthday I wanted to make it a little special for him."

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The random act of kindness at the Smokehouse, which opened in November 2023, has received an abundance of applause on social media, with many claiming it has restored their faith in humanity. 

Craig Gibson, general manager of Hickory's Wrexham added: "Southern hospitality is something we have experienced first hand on our road trips to the Southern States, and something we look to replicate in the restaurant, making guests feel special and creating memories for them.

"What this couple did for Lucas is heart-warming, so kind and something he will never forget – and is Southern hospitality at its best. We have such wonderful guests, our neighbours, the local community and the good people of Wrexham are so kind and welcoming, so it doesn’t surprise me, but it’s so wonderful. It makes me very proud to be the manager."