Chance encounter in city park reunites brothers and allows uncle to see newborn baby niece after weeks of lockdown

Two devoted Sunderland brothers have been reunited after bumping into each other on a break from coronavirus lockdown.
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Tom and Oliver Hotchkiss have barely seen each other for the last two months other than the odd passing wave, but the families met at Herrington Country Park today as they exercised with their families.

The chance encounter meant Oliver, and partner Nicola Proctor, both 30, and children, eleven-year-old Jacob Tatters and four-year-old Ava Hotchkiss, got their first real look at their new baby cousin Aria – though the social distancing rules meant they were denied a cuddle.

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Tom’s wife Joanne gave birth to the couple’s first child just three weeks ago – and was the first to realise an unscheduled family reunion was on the cards.

Oliver (left) and Tom HotchkissOliver (left) and Tom Hotchkiss
Oliver (left) and Tom Hotchkiss

“We pulled up and I saw the car and I just said ‘Oliver and Nicky are here with the bairns’,” she said.

Oliver, from High Ford, was over the moon with his first proper sight of his new niece: “We have seen her through the windows but this is the first time we have seen her properly,” he said.

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Thirty-three-year-old Joanne said giving birth under coronavirus rules had been tough – but there had been upsides to the lockdown, as warehouse worker Tom has been off work for weeks and able to help with the baby.

(from left) Jacob Tatters, Nicola Proctor, Oliver Hotchkiss, Ava Hotchkiss, Tom and Joanne Hotchkiss with baby Aria(from left) Jacob Tatters, Nicola Proctor, Oliver Hotchkiss, Ava Hotchkiss, Tom and Joanne Hotchkiss with baby Aria
(from left) Jacob Tatters, Nicola Proctor, Oliver Hotchkiss, Ava Hotchkiss, Tom and Joanne Hotchkiss with baby Aria
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“I was in hospital for two-and-a-half days before she was born and he was not allowed to stay – that was hard,” she said.

“He was allowed in for the birth. On the other hand, he was going to have to take paternity leave, so he has been able to be there for us so much more than otherwise.

“Her little cousin is dying to touch her but she can’t.”

Tom, 38, from Houghton, was just delighted to catch up with his brother: “We are as close as anything,” he said. “Normally, we are together all the time.

Tom and Joanne with baby AriaTom and Joanne with baby Aria
Tom and Joanne with baby Aria

“We go to the gym together, we play football together, we go to Costa together. It’s literally seven weeks since we’ve had any physical contact.

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“It’s really nice to see them – it’s just so sad I can’t give him a hug.”

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