A COUPLE left homeless by a boat fire experienced a Christmas miracle after a guest house agreed to put them up.

Osney Arms in West Oxford agreed to house Cathy Johnson and Lee Sims after an appeal in the Oxford Mail.

The pair narrowly escaped after their boat by Osney Bridge was destroyed by an accidental fire in November.

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Their friend Honey Lucas set up a fundraising page appealing for help to house the couple over Christmas. Staff at the guest house agreed to house them for Christmas week.

Manager Shaun Arp said: “I saw the story and thought why not. It’s a horrible situation to be in, especially at Christmas time. We also want to get involved with helping them find somewhere permanent.”

Ms Johnson said: “We’re over the moon and really surprised and grateful that people could be so kind.”

The couple had Christmas dinner at the guest house with a selection of staff and other guests and are expected to stay until the end of the week with their puppy Missy.

The Osney Arms also had a Nativity scene in its garden over the Christmas period. The staff hid gold coins in the manger for young children to find.



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