Husband's letters to his late wife 'the kind of love you see in movies'

Stanley Stroud has written the books filled with letters to his late wife, with all money raised going to Children in Need

After suffering a series of mini-strokes in 2024, Stanley Stroud lost his ability to speak and his mobility - he was also left unable to eat or drink normally.

The worst though was still to come, when his beloved wife Flora died while he was still in hospital, in April this year.

"I was totally devastated. We had been inseparable for 64 years. For almost 60 years it had been my privilege to call her my wife," he said.

The 80-year-old, from Sutton Coldfield, began to suffer suicidal thoughts, prompting his care assistant Victoria Gould to suggest he start writing letters to Flora to process his emotions.

And, just a few months later, the result of that idea is two published books filled with his letters, entitled Dear Flora Book 1 and 2.

Proceeds are going to BBC Children in Need, Flora's favourite charity.

Speaking about the genesis of the idea, Ms Gould said: "I was washing him one morning and he just burst out crying, he was inconsolable.

"I was worried about him and he wrote on his board that his wife had just passed away last week, and I was kind of astounded.

"This poor gentleman's just had a stroke, lost his voice and mobility and he's lost his wife as well.

"I'm a bit of a bleeding heart and since then we've been best friends."

Stan and Flora were together for 64 years and married for almost 60

"My heart just bled for him and I couldn't comprehend losing my voice, my mobility and the love of my life in one go," Ms Gould said.

"At times like that when you're grieving, you need your voice to process your feelings and speak to people - and I needed to find a way for him to communicate that.

"So I said, 'Why don't you start writing letters to her so you feel like you're still kind of talking to your confidante so she knows how you're feeling?'."

'Love you see in movies'

Mr Stroud said writing had become his voice and he had started to recall memories he thought had long disappeared, finding solace in the recollections.

He can still remember the present he bought Flora for their first Christmas together, when they were 16 - an all suede outfit including a blue blouse.

"I couldn't believe the detail he was recalling," Ms Gould said.

"What struck me is it's the kind of love you see in movies and hope for one day.

"He's just such an old-fashioned chivalrous gentleman and I think that's what a lot of us girls want in this day and age - I think we might be lacking that old-fashioned chivalry."

Writing became a solace for Stanley after the death of Flora

So far, he has raised about £2,700 with the sales of the books, while the overall target is £5,000.

"Stanley had a career working with children as a head teacher," Ms Gould said.

"He has a special place in his heart for children, so wants to continue helping children now he's retired. He's a very special man."

Flora Book 1 and 2 are both available to buy on Amazon.

Stanley was a head teacher and wants to keep helping children in his retirement

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