The parents of Droitwich Olympic swimming star Matthew Richards will not miss out on their son’s homecoming after fears they could not make it.

The National Lottery is holding a homecoming event for Team Great Britain on August 15 to celebrate a tremendous summer of sport.

Britain has already reached double figures in gold medals and Matt Richards can proudly say he is part of that success, having been part of the team that won the men's 4×200m freestyle relay on Wednesday, July 28.

However, his parents Amanda and Simon Richards looked set to miss out on his triumphant return before a kind benefactor stepped up and provided them with tickets.

In a desperate plea on Facebook, his mother wrote: “Feeling really upset tonight.

“The National Lottery is holding a homecoming event because our Team GB athletes have not had a closing ceremony.

“They’ve given thousands of free tickets out to people who play the national lottery. We put in for the ballot and haven’t been able to get tickets.

“So yet again, we won’t be able to see our boy celebrate his achievements.”

The post was met by a flurry of support with dozens sharing the post and offering any help they could.

Richards’ parents quickly found themselves with tickets and were over the moon with the generosity of others who had offered theirs up.

Mrs Richards wrote in a comment: “Oh you are so lovely!!! That’s such a kind and generous thing to do.

“Thankfully someone else has already given us some tickets. I’m blown away by how kind so many people have been!”

Richards, who attended Bishop Perowne CE College, began swimming at the age of five at Droitwich Leisure Centre joining the Droitwich Dolphins Swimming Club aged eight before later joining Worcester Swimming Club aged ten.

In lockdown Richards’ parents helped him keep fit by building a ‘swimming treadmill’ using an inflatable paddling pool, bungee cords and a harness as restrictions meant he had to go 10 weeks without stepping foot in an actual pool.

They have continued to voice their support throughout the games and will no doubt be ecstatic to see him on his return, as an Olympic champion.