Gatwick Gary: Man abandoned as a baby at airport 33 years ago finally tracks down his birth parents
A man who was abandoned as a baby at Gatwick Airport 33 years ago has finally tracked down his birth parents.
Steve Hydes, who was known as “Gatwick Gary” after the airport’s teddy bear mascot, spent 15 years trying to find his family.
Through the help of genealogists, who used DNA samples, he was able to identify his parents.
Mr Hydes discovered his mother had passed away before he could meet her.
He has made contact with his father and his siblings, who had no idea he existed.
Mr Hydes wrote on Facebook: “Some good news!
“After 15 years of searching I am happy to confirm that with the very hard work of genetic genealogists, CeCe Moore and Helen Riding, we have been able to trace and confirm my birth family.
“Unfortunately my birth mum has passed away so I am unable to find out exactly what happened and why.
“However I have found my birth father and siblings on both sides, who were all unaware of my existence.”
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Mr Hydes was ten days old when he was discovered by a duty-free sales assistant, Beryl Wright, at the South Terminal of Gatwick Airport, on April 10, 1986.
He was wrapped in a tartan shawl wearing two babygrows.
He was eventually fostered before being adopted into a family and growing up with three sisters.
Before his search for his parents ended, he said he bore the no ill-will and is not angry about what happened.
He still has the Gatwick Gary bear given to him by staff after he was discovered there.
Mr Hydes said: “As you can imagine this is quite a sensitive issue to all involved and very new to us all, but I wanted to take this time to thank everyone for their continued support over the years.
“The work the genealogists do is incredible and for years they have worked so hard and it is thanks to them they are solving cases like mine. More people are having their DNA tested every day and I hope this and my story can help raise awareness and prevent other babies from being abandoned.”