In a story that sounds too good to be true, a Scottish couple has been told to keep a staggering £10,000 grant that was sent to them by mistake from their local council.
Paul and Marie McDonagh from Airdrie received the life-changing sum from North Lanarkshire Council intended for home improvements, only to be informed weeks later that the payment had been made in error.
The Unexpected Windfall
The couple had initially applied for financial assistance through the council's scheme designed to help residents with essential property upgrades. Like many homeowners, they hoped for some support but never expected the full amount they received.
"We were absolutely stunned when the money appeared in our account," Paul explained. "We knew we'd applied for help, but this amount seemed extraordinary for the work we needed."
The Council's Surprising Response
Weeks after the deposit arrived, the couple received a phone call that would normally bring dread - the council admitting a significant administrative error. But what came next shocked them even more.
Rather than demanding the immediate return of the funds, the council representative told them: "It was our mistake, so we're going to let you keep the money."
Marie recounted the moment: "We couldn't believe what we were hearing. Who gets to keep ten thousand pounds because of someone else's mistake? We expected to have to pay every penny back."
Life-Changing Improvements
The unexpected windfall has allowed the McDonaghs to complete extensive home improvements that would have otherwise been financially impossible.
The funds have enabled them to:
- Install essential new windows throughout their property
- Complete crucial insulation work
- Address long-standing damp issues
- Create a more comfortable living environment
"This has genuinely changed our lives," Paul shared. "We're now living in a warmer, safer home without the financial stress we had before."
A Rare Case of Bureaucratic Compassion
While council errors typically result in immediate demands for repayment, this case represents an extraordinary exception. The council's decision to honour their mistake has provided the couple with financial security they never anticipated.
A spokesperson for North Lanarkshire Council confirmed the unusual situation: "In this instance, due to an administrative error, the payment was made incorrectly. After reviewing the circumstances, we made the decision not to recover the funds."
The couple's story serves as a remarkable example of how administrative errors can sometimes, albeit very rarely, work in favour of ordinary citizens.
