A HUDDERSFIELD millionaire has jetted in from America to see the long-lost mum he was reunited with three years ago - and for all the family to get together for the first time.
Ray Tetlow, 41, from Florida, met mother Heidi and his half-brothers, David and Paul Collins, and their wives and children.
"It's great, absolutely wonderful," said a delighted Heidi.
The family enjoyed a meal at the Huddersfield Hotel.
Heidi lost touch with Ray for 29 years after splitting up with his father.
After trying unsuccessfully to find him for years, she learned of his whereabouts in the Huddersfield Examiner's Home and Abroad column in 2000.
The pair now try to see one another regularly, but it is the first time Ray has returned to his home town in 12 years.
"It's cold and wet here!" said Ray, who made his fortune through computing.
He plans to explore Huddersfield over the weekend before going home.
He said earlier he was looking forward to seeing his extended family, adding: "It's the first time we have all been together in the same place."
German-born Heidi came to England in 1947. She married Fred Tetlow, Ray's father, in 1961, but the marriage broke up in 1971.
Ray studied at Fartown High School, Greenhead College and Aston University in Birmingham.
He moved to Florida in 1990, setting up his own company in 1995. The sales of Dataforce Corporation totalled $300,000 in its first year. He now owns a house and three penthouse flats in Miami and drives a Ferrari.
***
* Together again Ray Tetlow (sitting) is seen with his mother, Heidi Tetlow, and her grandchildren (left, from top) Sarah Collins, James Ainsley, Rebecca Shepley and Leanne Brady with Margaret and David Collins (centre back) and Fiona and Paul Collins
(5669a/30/03)
Related stories
