Sisters reunite after 20 years

2:54pm Thursday 14th February 2008

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LONG-LOST sisters who were separated after the sudden death of their mother 35 years ago have been reunited - thanks to a dance mat.

Olga Carter, of Elvington, near York, found more than she could ever have hoped for when she advertised on a goods-sharing website called Freecycle Network.

The 56-year-old was looking for nothing more than a dance mat, but amazingly, the advert was answered by her long-lost younger sister, Liz Cunliffe.

The pair were separated along with their six other brothers and sisters when their mother died in a car accident more than 35 years ago.

Liz, who was just two-years-old at the time, went to live with their aunt, and as the older siblings got married, they drifted apart and went their separate ways.

Olga said: "I went to collect the mat and Liz opened the door and said You don't know who I am do you?'. I said, Well you look familiar.' Then she said I'm your sister.' "Within seconds we were in each other's arms. We hadn't seen one another for well over 20 years at our grandfather's funeral. She had changed, but obviously I hadn't.

"Then we sat down and I was there for a couple of hours talking about the last 20 years - most notably about our children.

"It's incredible that I've now got a sister on the back of making a decision to get a dance mat very much on a whim."

Olga, who owns a bridalwear company, had one son when they last saw one another and her sister hadn't got any children - but the pair now have seven offspring and five grandchildren.

Liz, 40, of Acomb, York, who is a chaperone for schoolchildren, said: "As soon as I opened the door I recognised her. It was really quite emotional. I invited her in for a cup of tea and we had a catch-up, so much has happened since we last saw each other.

"I've got four grandchildren who she has never met with another two on the way. It was really nice to see her."

Olga said: "We have started e-mailing each other and her daughter also contacts me quite a lot. We have even bumped into each other around town and it's lovely to know that we are both there for each other when we want a chat, something we have never had before."