Drive-by baby, baby drive-by shower for Viva couple Natalie and Matt

A heartwarming video of a Blackpool dancer and new mum-to-be given virtual hugs and a drive -by parade in place of a planned baby shower has touched the hearts of the nation after being viewed more than 300,000 times online.
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In the short film, captured by doting fiance and singer Matt Andrews, Natalie Grey is given a surprise of a lifetime after her closest friends devised a innovative way to make sure she enjoyed the 'simple get together', she had been promised.

The couple who live in Cleveleys and are set to welcome their first child in June were left overwhelmed by the kindness and love shared by her closest friends and Viva family.

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Trio, Joanna Hilton, Emma Sheldon and Amy Mantle, who all work alongside with Natalie at the entertainment complex in Church Street, had gone 'above and beyond' to deliver on the unique, socially distant shower ahead of their very special delivery.

Natalie Grey was treated to a surprise drive-by baby showerNatalie Grey was treated to a surprise drive-by baby shower
Natalie Grey was treated to a surprise drive-by baby shower

Natalie, who has worked at Viva for five years and is part of the Jersey Beats tour, decided to share the personal day online to give people a smile and show kindness at work in strange times.

The 26-year old from Lancaster said: "I had absolutely no idea and it was just wonderful, perfect. It's such a crazy situation, I didn't want to share as a brag it was more with everything going on,there are still wonderful people and nice things out there. And it was showing how people are coming together to make things just a little better.

"As a new mum I haven't got anything to compare to but to share a bit of the love we had received and the kindness, the effort they all went to. And the response from people says it all, we've been so overwhelmed with messages and good wishes from people we've never met. I couldn't have imagined it."

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Natalie had been given a date for her planned shower but following the lockdown, the girls had said they would have to postpone it for after baby arrived. Instead they said they would arrange a 'head wetting.

Viva Jersery Beats performers Matt Andrews and Natalie Gray, are expecting their first baby in JuneViva Jersery Beats performers Matt Andrews and Natalie Gray, are expecting their first baby in June
Viva Jersery Beats performers Matt Andrews and Natalie Gray, are expecting their first baby in June

Natalie added: "When the day for the shower came around I said to Matt - lets just have a day off the DIY and the jobs we'd been doing and watch a film together instead."

However, far from a day in front of the TV, Natalie was instead treated to a surprise doorstep delivery, a new outfit, to a garden Zoom party with around 20 of their family and friends.

She was then duped in to believing the couple's car had broken down before the drive-by parade, with balloon and banners. The day was rounded off with a boot full of baby gifts to ensure they had all the necessities ahead of the impending arrival.

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Matt, 34, from Barnsley, who is part of the Jersey Beats cast was able to record the whole day's events and edited together in a montage, sparking the reaction across the country.

Their family and friends at Viva Blackpool pulled together a surprise baby shower for Natalie, Joanna Hilton centre left and Emma furthest right organised the day.Their family and friends at Viva Blackpool pulled together a surprise baby shower for Natalie, Joanna Hilton centre left and Emma furthest right organised the day.
Their family and friends at Viva Blackpool pulled together a surprise baby shower for Natalie, Joanna Hilton centre left and Emma furthest right organised the day.

Natalie said: "The original baby shower I had envisaged was a simple one, something in the garden with everyone, just a bit of a get together before baby.

"I could never have imagined this, I was added to the Facebook planning group afterwards, the strict itinerary. They had thought of everything.

"A national lockdown isn't something you imagine in your first pregnancy, all the ante natal classes not happening, Matt not even able to attend appointments but it's turned into something we can cherish and look back on together and that's so special."

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