Stranger pays for man's flight for eye appointment

Martin Savident said that his mother, Danny, would like to thank the unknown woman

A man from Guernsey has thanked a stranger who paid for his flight to the mainland to see an eye specialist after his original flight was cancelled.

Martin Savident had a medical appointment booked in Southampton on Monday but his flight was cancelled.

Mr Savident, who has autism, said he panicked because he could not afford the alternative flight, but a woman at the airport overheard his conversation and paid for it.

"It just shows there are good people out there that are willing to help you," he said.

'Nervous wreck'

Mr Savident had been referred to an eye specialist in Southampton after he suffered dizziness and several collapses.

On arriving at Guernsey Airport on the morning of the appointment, he found his flight had been cancelled.

He was offered a flight to Gatwick but told the airport staff that he could not afford the fare.

"I started panicking and my autism and everything kicked off," he said. "I was a nervous wreck and didn't know what to do."

A woman overheard him talking to the staff at the counter and intervened.

"She said 'It's already been sorted, I am paying to get you on this plane and I know you'll get to your appointment now,'" Mr Savident said.

'Saved my life'

"I was gobsmacked, I was shocked that someone that I've never known or met before would go this far out their way to help someone in need.

"That is a new feeling to me.

"Out of nowhere this lady, in a way, saved my life," he added.

Mr Savident said he had a message for the unknown woman: "The chances of us ever meeting again are very slim, but if you do ever get the chance to meet me again, my mum wants to thank you in person."