Donna Cowell, a trainee nurse from Blackpool, has been reunited with a secret younger brother she never knew existed, in an emotional episode of ITV's Long Lost Family. Donna and her brother Damien were placed in the care system as children and suffered 'horrendous abuse' in children's homes. Years later, while reviewing her care files, Donna discovered she had a third sibling.
Donna had feared her younger brother might have endured similar suffering. 'I was really shocked and upset. That was my baby brother and was perhaps in the same situation as I was being brought up in care,' she said. She began searching for him, but the Long Lost Family team initially hit a dead end when a letter to a potential match went unanswered.
However, they later heard back from Phil Holme, who had moved back into his family home to care for his terminally ill adoptive father. Astonishingly, Phil was living just three miles from Donna in Blackpool, and could see the hospital where she works from his window. Phil, adopted at six weeks old, said he had a happy childhood and described himself as 'the lucky one'.
Donna and Phil met for a tearful reunion in a Blackpool cafe. 'I just didn't want to think you were growing up through the care system,' Donna told him. Phil replied, 'I've been the lucky one out of all of us. My mum and dad were the most loving people. Now I've got the opportunity to meet you.' The siblings discovered they have much in common, and Phil even recognised Damien's face from town.
Donna, who now has two brothers, said, 'It's not just me and Damien now, it's me, Damien and Phil, all just here on the doorstep.' The episode airs tonight on ITV.
