Two women who discovered they were sisters on Facebook while searching for their long-lost dad have been reunited with him after 24 years – just in time for Christmas.
Lisa McLean, 33, from Nottingham, and Rebecca Parton, 24, from Doncaster, South Yorks, found each other on social media by chance while searching for David Riggs four years ago.
The strangers had spent decades trawling the internet for their father before eventually discovering they were siblings in an incredible coincidence in 2016.
Lisa and Rebecca did not know one another existed until they stumbled across each other on Facebook and they have since gone on to form a close sisterly bond.
Sisters Lisa McLean, 33, from Nottingham, and Rebecca Parton, 24, from Doncaster, South Yorks, found each other on social media by chance while searching for David Riggs four years ago.
Lisa McLean, 33 (R) and Rebecca Parton, 24 (L) meet with their father David Riggs, Netherfield, Nottingham, on December 6
The strangers had spent decades trawling the internet for their father before eventually discovering they were siblings in an incredible coincidence in 2016. Pictured, Rebecca Parton as a child
Lisa and Rebecca did not know one another existed until they stumbled across each other on Facebook. Pictured, Lisa McLean as a child
But the pair failed to give up on their search for their father and two weeks ago Lisa received a friend request from David who had seen their online appeal.
After the pair got chatting Lisa soon realised he was their genuine dad after he was able to identify people in childhood family photographs.
And on Sunday, David Riggs, 53, who is from South Shore, Blackpool, travelled down from his home to meet his daughters for the first time in over two decades.
The emotional reunion took place at Lisa’s house, where David also got to meet his grandchildren for the first time.
The sisters (pictured) failed to give up on their search for their father and two weeks ago Lisa received a friend request from David who had seen their online appeal.
On on Sunday, David, 53, who is from South Shore, Blackpool, travelled down from his home to meet his daughters for the first time in over two decades. Pictured, Lisa McLean, Rebecca Parton and their father, David Riggs
The emotional reunion took place at Lisa’s house. Pictured, Lisa meeting her father for the first time
The sisters said they were both left in ‘amazement and disbelief’ when their dad finally got in touch all these years later. Pictured, Rebecca and David
They are also now set to spend their first Christmas and New Year together as a complete family after they were all brought back together by Facebook.
‘It was just great, there were a few emotions which were obviously to be expected,’ mum-of-five Lisa, a carer, said. ‘You get butterflies and I was thinking “is he coming?” when I was at the station and if his train was delayed.
‘But it was just lovely, he’s seen his grandkids now and there’s a lot of catching up to do – a lot of years to catch up on. The kids have now started to call him grandad so now he’s feeling a bit old.
‘But it’s just nice. The only way I can describe it, it’s a bit cheesy, but I suppose it is a Christmas miracle.
‘It will be our first Christmas together and Rebecca is hoping to come down for New Year if we are allowed.’
Lisa had been looking for her dad (pictured) since she was 18-years-old by searching missing person websites and online appeals after he disappeared when she was nine
Rebecca (pictured, one week old) had never known her dad and also began looking for him after her mum Andrea passed away of cancer aged 37
Lisa (left) and Rebecca (right) have since forged a close sisterly bond with Rebecca even being a bridesmaid at Lisa’s wedding last year
Former Blackpool Pier maintenance worker David described feeling ‘like he’d won the lottery’ and was the ‘happiest man in the world’ after meeting his daughters.
‘I was searching for the girls for quite a number of years on and off,’ explained David. ‘They were always on my mind and in my heart.
‘As the years passed and I was getting older I was trying to find them but every time I was trying it seemed to backfire as though my world was just falling apart.
‘I feel for the last 20 or 30 years I was out walking around without a heart.
‘I only found them by chance as I went on my phone and saw these two ladies online looking for their dad. I didn’t recognise them.
‘They could have walked past me in the street and I wouldn’t have known. I scrolled down and saw my picture and thought wow why am I online?
‘When I read it all I broke down in tears.
‘I then found them on Facebook, they had changed their names and it was difficult to recognise them but I took a chance and the first person I rang was Lisa.
‘I didn’t sleep for two nights as I had found my three daughters.
Rebecca and Lisa spent years searching the internet desperately trying to find their dad before eventually finding each other by an amazing coincidence in 2016
Rebecca (left) and Lisa (right) said they were both left in ‘amazement and disbelief’ when their dad finally got in touch all these years later
During the meeting, David also got to meet his grandchildren for the first time. Pictured, with Lisa and Rebecca
They are set to spend their first Christmas and New Year together as a complete family after they were all brought back together by Facebook. Pictured,Lisa, Rebecca and David
The former Blackpool pier maintenance worker described how he feels like he’s won the lottery and is the happiest man in the world after all these years without his daughters. Pictured, together
David said he didn’t sleep for two nights after finding out he has three daughters. Pictured, missing sister Amy Hughes
‘I was texting, crying and trying to explain my life and everything that has gone on – it’s been emotional.
‘I was heartbroken, it was a shock to find out they had been searching for me and I did cry for quite a bit.
‘I never thought I would see them again ever I was in absolute shock.
‘But they are really great girls and I’m very happy – it’s now just a case of making up for the lost time.
‘I’m going to get them all presents and look after the grandkids. It’s proper heartwarming and it doesn’t happen every day.
‘At the end of the day a lot of families haven’t been together throughout this crisis with Covid and this might put a smile on peoples faces.
‘I’m excited for Christmas, it’s the first Christmas that I am going to be with all my daughters and all the grandkids.
‘When the kids started calling me grandad I was like am I that old – but it’s just wonderful.
David, who was searching for the girls for a number of years, told how he felt was out ‘walking around without a heart.’ Pictured, Lisa with her father
Former Blackpool Pier maintenance worker David described feeling ‘like he’d won the lottery’ and was the ‘happiest man in the world’ after meeting his daughters. Pictured, Lisa and Rebecca with David
David said he never thought he’d see his daughter again and was in ‘absolute shock’ when they reached out to him. Pictured, Lisa, Rebecca and David
Rebecca revealed it was a’ little bit scary’ meeting someone that’s biologically your dad who was ‘just a stranger.’ Pictured, Lisa and Rebecca
‘I am possibly the happiest man in the whole world. This is the best thing that has ever happened in my entire life.
‘I’ve never won the lottery but I suppose it’s like that.’
Lisa had been looking for her dad since she was 18-years-old by searching missing person websites and online appeals after he disappeared when she was nine.
Rebecca’s grandmother Sue Parton, first contacted Lisa on social media explaining that she thought Rebecca was looking for the same man.
A DNA test confirmed the pair were related and last year Rebecca was even bridesmaid at Lisa’s wedding. Pictured, Lisa and Rebecca
Rebecca (left) said she is ‘grateful’ that she and Lisa have been able to find their dad (pictured inset)
Rebecca had never known her dad and also began looking for him after her mum Andrea passed away of cancer aged 37.
A DNA test later confirmed they were related and last year Rebecca was even bridesmaid at Lisa’s wedding.
The pair said they were both left in ‘amazement and disbelief’ when their dad finally got in touch all these years later.
Rebecca, a sales assistant manager at Home Bargains, said: ‘It was a shock as Lisa and I never thought we would actually find him.
‘It was a little bit scary because you’re meeting someone that’s biologically your dad but not really a dad, just a stranger at the moment.
‘We’ve just had normal conversations. We’ve got to kind of get to know each other and be able to trust each other.
‘I am grateful that we’ve been able to find him. It’s all been a bit surreal.’