A Torquay restaurant goes ‘above and beyond’ to help married couple

A couple who have been married for almost 40 years have shared how Torquay restauranteur Josh Friend retrieved their priceless possession.

Michael and Gina McCann were dining at a Torquay restaurant last Saturday when they became the recipients of an act of kindness.

The couple, who have been coming to the region for over 60 years, were dining at The Kyn following recommendations from friends, when Ms McCann’s ring slid off and fell through the decking beneath them.

Mr McCann said they had been enjoying a meal with their son and his partner when his wife suddenly broke the news that the ring was gone.

“She said straight away ‘oh my god I’ve dropped my wedding band’ and we were all on the floor rolling around with our iPhone lights trying to find it and she said I think it went through the crack,” he said.

“One of the staff came over and asked if they could help us as we were grovelling around on the floor.

“It is just a gold wedding band from 1985, but it’s obviously very sentimental being the original wedding band.”

Mr McCann said his wife had worn the ring everyday for 37 years, causing him to offer money to have a carpenter come and lift the decking to continue the search.

“I offered to pay several times, but the owner, Josh, said ‘don’t be silly’ and that they have someone who comes in regularly and can have a look on Tuesday,” he said.

Gina McCann is reunited with her 37 year old wedding ring. Pictured with The Kyn maintenance director Glenn Bundy, owner Josh Friend, and Gina's husband Michael and grandson Billy, 2. Picture: Alison Wynd

“I kept thinking they seem really genuine and really helpful so we were really confident they would do something but too often people just say we had a look and couldn’t find it.

“They ended up doing everything they said they would and more, I was amazed at the response.”

Mr McCann said he received a call on Tuesday letting them know the ring had been found and that they could come and collect it.

“They went above and beyond, especially considering they would have had a crap couple years with Covid-19,” he said

“I thought the best thing I could do is to tell people the story, to thank them and let everyone know what they did for us.

“I have never seen anything like it, I thought it was great.”

Originally published as A Torquay restaurant goes ‘above and beyond’ to help married couple