'I'm named after an airport after being dumped in the loo at ten days old'
A man who was abandoned as a baby at Gatwick Airport 37 years ago this week has told those who don't know their birth family to never give up after finally tracking down his parents.
Steven Hydes, who was known as 'Gary Gatwick', said thanks to the brilliant work of genealogists he was able to find his dad and his siblings, who had no idea of his existence.
But his mother died before he could find her.
Steve, 37, was found on a shelf in a toilet of the Sussex airport on April 10, 1986.
The ten-day-old boy was found wrapped in a shawl in the south terminal by duty-free sales assistant Beryl Wright.
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Steve with partner Sammy and daughter Alanna and his baby blarney (Steve Hydes/Triangle News)
Steve says looking into his family history was the best thing he's ever done (Steve Hydes/Triangle News)He was sleeping so silently that she initially thought the child was just a pile of rags.
Now he has urged others considering looking into their DNA to not miss a big chance.
Telling followers on his Facebook page 'Gary Gatwick Airport Baby Abandoned' that anything is possible, he said he has no regrets.
He wrote: "37 years ago today, on 10th April 1986, somebody carried me, as a 10-day-old baby, into Gatwick Airport.
"I'm very lucky to have found out now who my birth family are.
He was only ten days old when he was abandoned (Steve Hydes/Triangle News)
He still keeps the personal memorabilia from his early days (Steve Hydes/Triangle News)"For anyone who is thinking about doing their DNA I would highly recommend it and to be patient, it took a long time for me to get to where I am now and with still unanswered questions.
"I still wonder what's next but I am very grateful for all my birth family for accepting me and my mum, dad and sisters for supporting me through all of my journey."
He signed off the post by writing: "Never give up."
The father-of-two, who also featured in a BBC Three documentary in 2011, had been taken into foster care before being adopted and being brought up with three sisters.
The dad with members of his long lost family (Steve Hydes/Triangle News)He had initially been given the name of 'Gary Gatwick', after the teddy donated to him bought from one of the airport's gift shops. His name was changed to Steven Hydes when he was formally adopted.
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Posting on his page four years ago, he said: "Some good news!
"After 15 years of searching I am happy to confirm that with the very hard work of Genetic Genealogists, CeCe Moore and Helen Riding we have been able to trace and confirm my birth family.
"Unfortunately my birth mum has passed away so I am unable to find out exactly what happened and why.
"However I have found my birth father and siblings on both sides, who were all unaware of my existence."
Steve concluded the post saying: "As you can imagine this is quite a sensitive issue to all involved and very new to us all, but I wanted to take this time to thank everyone for their continued support over the years.
"The work the genealogists do is incredible and for years they have worked so hard and it is thanks to them they are solving cases like mine.
"More people are having their DNA tested every day and I hope this and my story can help raise awareness and prevent other babies from being abandoned."
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