THINGS are looking up for 87-year-old Derek Morrison, whose heartfelt letter about loneliness touched the heart of the nation.

He says his life has been enriched after receiving bundles of letters of support and finding new friends.

Derek, of Pearsons Avenue, Rayleigh, sparked an outpouring of sympathy after responding to a feature in a national newspaper about loneliness among older men.

He wrote a letter explaining how his life changed after the sudden death of his beloved wife, Sheila, which soon saw him become the voice of loneliness and helping others in similar situations.

Now, two months on, Derek has finally taken his daughter’s advice and made some new friends at the Rayleigh Leisure Indoor Bowls Club, Little Wheatleys Chase, Rayleigh, and also went on a week-long holiday with Rayleigh coach company Kirby’s coaches.

He said: “It’s coming along fine. I have been to two sessions and am learning that the balls used for bowls aren’t completely round and one side is heavier than the other - I never knew that.

“They have taken me under their wing and showed me what’s what. They’re a really friendly bunch.

“I’m going to join Singing for Pleasure also. I used to sing quite a lot at one time and even sang for a choir at the Royal Albert Hall.

“I joined the Leigh Orpheus Singers but they did a lot of harmonising and it wasn’t really for me so I dropped out.”

He is still getting daily letters from people wanting to meet up with him who are either in the same situation or wanting to help out.

Derek added: “I’ve had quite a lot of letters from all over the place and it’s surprised me how this has brought the issue of loneliness to the fore. I get three or four letters a day, it’s really snowballed.”

He also had the chance to meet up with his daughter thanks to the coach holiday. He said: “I went on holiday the other week to Somerset. My daughter who lives in Dorset came over one day and it was nice to have her company.”