‘ Pure of heart’ respond to vicious crime
A SEVERELY ill woman who was the victim of a robbery has become a rallying point for Townsville residents, that “enough is enough”.
Thieves entered the Tennant St, Douglas, home of Karena Travers last Thursday and stole her handbag – containing her car keys, purse and iPhone – and her Mazda 3.
Her son Michael Travers said she was a single, hard- working mother with three dependants living with her.
“She doesn’t own very many possessions and her car was her only real pride and joy,” he said.
“My mother also suffers from severe multiple sclerosis and the stress of the highly invasive and intrusive situation had her hysterical.”
Mr Travers, who was in Mackay at the time of the robbery for work, posted his mother’s story on Facebook page Townsville Crime, Alerts & Discussions and was overwhelmed and surprised at the flood of messages that started coming in from people offering all kinds of help and services for her.
“She cried knowing all this support was being offered as she’s always done it tough,” he said.
“We received messages from offering loan cars and give lifts day or night, to giving away a guard dog.
“A florist delivered her a nice decorated plant with a card from me free of charge.
“This all came from people I have never met – and shows the pure heart of the genuine citizens of Townsville that when a tragedy like this strikes we can all pull together and help our fellow man in times of need and despair. To say I was touched by this experience would be the biggest understatement I’ve ever used in my life.”