who, like lesley, were shielding. i was in the house most of the time. i might go out for a breath of fresh air in the garden, but being able to write the letters to alina then receiving them, oh, it was wonderful. this was a painting that she did and i really liked this one. she put granny lesley on. and just thinking back to when you were shielding, this kind of contact must have made a huge difference. oh, it kept me going. no, it was lovely to think i would eventually be meeting alina. yes, i wonder if she ll be excited. well, let s catch up with alina to find out. i m looking forward to meeting her because she is always kind and she writes, and she replies a letter back to me. after 18 months, the moment of meeting for these pandemic pen pals has finally arrived.
four year old pen pal, aleena. after 18 months of exchanging letters, they finally met in person for the first time. our reporter luxmy gopal was there. lesley is travelling to see someone she s never met before. i m feeling really excited and a bit nervous, i think as well. but ijust can t believe the day has come. she is finally meeting a pen pal she started writing to in lock down a year ago. aleena from enfield in london who was just four years old back then. through letter writing they became so close, aleena started calling lesley granny. i wish i could see granny lesley soon. the pen pals project was by the leeds charity hops for its members who, like lesley, were shielding. i was in the house most of the time. i might go out for a breath of fresh air in the garden, but being able to write the letters to aleena, then receiving them, this oh, it was wonderful. this was a painting that she did.