Acts of kindness

kaz0705

Loving the thread!

A few things spring to mind. Back in November, when it was really cold, I felt really in my my train into Waterloo. I managed to get keep it together til we pulled in and then ran out to sit on the freezing seats to try and stop myself from being sick. A woman came and checked on me, disappeared and then returned with a bar of chocolate (thinking I was just faint from not eating) and a bottle of water. In the meantime, another woman had gone to get help and stayed with me until the ambulance (!!) arrived.

I was in such a state that I wouldn't even be able to pick either out of a line up now but I was very grateful to them- I'd really panicked because I am never sick and had never felt that way before.

But the big thing that has always stuck with me is when my sister had a baby at 18. In this day and age its easy for the general public to judge unmarried young mothers. She was at the supermarket and an elderly man insisted on paying her shopping. We were all so touched when we found out! Years later, my mum did the same thing so another young girl and I full intend to when I'm older (and can afford it!).

I always leave parking tickets for people and hand in purses or anything. I might be in debt but I still know that little things can make a massive difference- pass it on, eh? :-)

ElaineyB_2

My first post in these forums so hello to everyone! what a lovely thread, really made me smile and some moved me to tears

I always try and help people out when I can. Just little things like I always pass on my car park tickets if theres time left on them,or hold doors open for people. I once paid for a strangers bus ticket as she had no change and the driver wouldn't accept a note! She was only 16 and so grateful, We got chatting and we're still in touch now via facebook

A recent one involves an older lady I know that I've been helping out with her laptop. We own a laptop repair shop and after we initially fixed her laptop, she paid me to give her a few lessons. She said she couldn't afford the full hour each week so could I do blocks of half hours weekly...I agreed to this but I spent well over an hour each time and only charged for the half hour I've also been round on my days off to help with her online admin type things and didn't charge her. She's so sweet and think she really appreciates the company. And she keeps making me and my hubby homemade cakes and bread to say thank you, bless her!

I do believe in karma and hope that somebody would help me out if I needed it. In fact, I dropped my wallet last year on the way to work and thought I'd never see it again - it had all my money/cards, even vouchers that I'd been given for xmas. I came home from work feeling very glum and found a policelady stood on my doorstep - an elderly lady had found my wallet and handed it straight in to the local police station! The lovely police woman who dropped it off gave me the lady's details and I left a big bunch of flowers and thank you card by her front door. Didn't get to say thanks in person and she wasnt home but I hope I made her smile

Butti

My neighbour always puts the bin back up the drive. She's been doing it since I moved in 10 years ago, before she even spoke to me......and she must be in her mid 80's!

Three years ago I came out of hospital after emergency surgery following a complication following planned surgery. So a fortnight later I got the lawnmower out because I could push it on my stomach, didn't require any lifting. So she comes out, takes over and cuts my front lawn. Bearing in mind I was about 40 and appeared completely fit IT DID LOOK REALLY BAD!

She is a lovely neighbour to have and now occasionally lets me do things for her.

B

anxious_mum

Oh my goodness, I have a tear in my eye from reading this! What an ace thread! I have two to contribute, once when I was helped, and once when I helped out.

I was 11 years old (about 100 years ago) and had gone scrumping with my older brother. I fell out of the apple tree and dislocated my shoulder, and was lying in absolute pain in the garden of the poor bloke who we had robbed. He saw what was happening and, after speaking to my bro, phoned my mum to tell her what had happened. My dad was at work, my mum didn't drive, so this guy drove me and my brother home, and then on to the children's hospital. He stayed with us until my dad finished work and could take over. What a guy!

A few years ago, I pulled into my local petrol station to fill up, and when I opened my car door, I saw a really fat wallet on the floor. I put it in my bag (and felt really bad doing so, but I didn't want to leave it with the staff, I wanted to know for sure it got back to its owner.)

So, I got to work and started looking through the wallet. There was a lot of money in there, over £300 in cash, and some cards. I found one which looked like an employer's card, rang the firm and asked to speak to the guy. I was told that he had had an emergency situation, and was passed to his secretary.

It turned out, he had heard that his daughter had been involved in a serious car accident, and in his haste to get to the hospital after filling up, he didn't even realise he had lost his wallet. He was so grateful, he sent beautiful flowers and chocolates. But, it wasn't necessary. I often wonder how his daughter was.

smileyt_2

I once had a complete stranger knock on my door to tell me that I had left the keys in the lock. My door fronts straight onto the street in what was then a very dodgy area (it's gone up in the world since then) so I was very grateful.

I've found more than one wallet or handbag when I've been out walking the dogs and always made the effort to trace the owners. They have always been grateful.

satchmo1

I've told several people about keys in doors of home/cars, but last Sunday walking home from pub after traumatic week of burst pipes, I saw somebody's car courtesy light on and thought " oh, if they don't know their battery will be flat by morning". So made my hubby stop on the lane whilst I went up and knocked (it was about 8pm, not throwing out time). I could see the lady of the house preparing veggies and she grumpily shouted hubbie. He came to the door, I explained, he shouted for the car keys, she came out and said "oh, you've restored my faith in human kindness and I could hug you". I gave her a hug, (I think hugs are essential to well-being), and went merrily on my way.

CherryPie

2 years ago in the really bad snow, I was driving to see my Gran in hospital. Left work at 2pm for an hours drive, should've got there just in time for afternoon visiting at 3pm.

The snow was getting heavier, driving was almost impossible, and I managed to get stuck on a hill holding up the rest of the traffic. So I stuck my hazards on and got out. A very kind man, who'd come to dig his wife's car out, tried in vain to dig me out too, but to no avail. So I managed to get my car into the side of the road, and thought there's nothing else for it but to get out and help everyone else that had got stuck. The kind man with the shovel got a few people going. I pushed a few up the hill!!! But the one that sticks in my mind was an elderly couple who had waited until everyone else was gone. I tapped the window and asked if I could help, old man didn't keep too well, so couldn't get out and push. He got behind the wheel, his wife (in her 70's) helped me push, but it wasn't going too well. Spotted a group of young teenagers (the sort I'd normally cross the road to avoid!) I shouted over and asked them to help, which they did, elderly couple got on their way. Then they made sure I got going too.

Got to see my Gran in time for the evening visiting @7pm!!:eek:

This year, I've come prepared and have just bought a snow shovel for the car & some new waterproofs!!!:rotfl::rotfl:

Heamol

When I was in school my family were going through a truly terrible patch financially for a brief period, relying on my brother's paper round for money for food. It was nightmarish because for a while we had nothing, no income of any kind. I borrowed money from a school friend to give to my parents just to help make ends meet.

One day I was talking to one of the nuns (it was a convent school) and explained how tough things were for us. The next day, she came up to me and quietly handed me an envelope, inside which was £50. To this day I don't know who the money came from (Sister wouldn't tell me). I don't know if it was her own money (she certainly wouldn't have had much herself) or from someone else in the school or parish. It made all the difference to my family.

whitewing

My old boss did the same for me a few years ago when I was a single parent. He had a son the same age as mine, and that Christmas quietly came up to me and pressed £50 into my hand and said to get the little 'un something and not to be embarrassed about taking it. I waited until I got home before the tears came - bless him. He was such a jokey, loud chap, but what a heart of gold.

I'd also like to say I am so grateful to our lovely people over on the Marriages/Families forum for signing up to the Anthony Nolan bone marrow register. I only put the post on last night and so far 6 people have signed up, others have tried but don't fit current criteria, and others are spreading the word. It's here https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3446009

lrb_2

Lovely thread!!! Thanks OP! :T

Ten years ago I went for a job interview to London ( I was living in the Isle of Wight at the time). The journey was long, it was raining and I was told that I wouldn't get the job. It was my birthday and felt really miserable. On the long way back the train stopped and we were asked to change trains. As I walked to the other platform a guy picked up a lonely flower, gave it to me, smiled and continued on his way. He really put a smile on my face and made my day. Up to this day that is the best birthday present I've ever had.

Lx