English TV presenter Timmy Mallett was overjoyed this Christmas with a special message from Donegal.
The card arrived from Knockglass potato farmer Frank Platt, who Timmy met on his cycle across Donegal in May.
The Wacaday host was so taken by Frank’s work during that windy summer’s day that he sketched him. He turned the drawing into a painting and sent a print of “The Potato Planters” piece to Frank.
Timmy wondered if it ever arrived, but a recent Christmas card from Malin Head made Timmy’s day.
“Many thanks for the pictures, have a nice one, potatoes did good,” wrote Frank.
Timmy, sharing the card and painting online, wished Frank the finest potatoes ever!
Timmy made countless friends in Donegal this year during his tour of the north coast of the island.
Thousands of fans followed his journey on social media as he documented feel-good messages and shared historical tidbits from each stop.
During his rest stops, Timmy was inspired to paint stunning watercolours of his artist’s eye view of people and landscapes of ‘Norn Iron’ and Donegal.
On his journey home, Timmy said that he would never forget the “kindness, the welcome, the generosity in this lovely county.
“It’s special in my heart forever, God Bless you Donegal.”
The 69-year-old’s cycling adventures raise funds in memory of his late brother Martin, who had Down Syndrome and passed away in 2018.
Mallett’s journey began in London last year, circumnavigating the coast of Great Britain, before crossing the sea to Northern Ireland.
He wrote, “Inspired by my brother Martin, with his language and learning difficulties, I’m reminded that each and every day in life is the best day ever and the important thing is to be in the moment.”
