Boy’s smile restored by strangers
A 13-year-old boy whose Christmas present was stolen is overwhelmed by the support of strangers righting a festive wrong.
Lleyton Cliffreceived Christmas lights as an early present this year. But on Tuesday night, a yuletide thief stole them from outside his Kelvin Grove, Palmerston North, home.
After the Manawatu Standard revealed the theft, his mum Donna Cliff said two police officers turned up at their door.
‘‘They asked for Lleyton. They had a bag full of two lots of lights from The Warehouse. The Warehouse had contacted them and given [the lights]. Then the police had a bag of stuff they had to give him.’’
She said the kindness from the boys in blue brought some joy back into Lleyton’s Christmas.
‘‘It was just really cool. I just thought that was really sweet of them.’’
The police took photos of the light box and said they were investigating the theft. They told Cliff they wanted to help restore Lleyton’s faith in Christmas.
‘‘I didn’t expect anything like that at all. I thought that was so lovely, especially when the police have got a lot going on this time of the year. That just put a big smile [on his face].’’
Inspector Dave White said The Warehouse had been in contact with police and wanted to help the family.
Police were touched by the story and since they had some items left over from Operation Blue Santa, they decided they could be put to good use.
‘‘This time of the year and that sort of theft, it just touched the heart strings and we decided we could do a little something for him.’’
CB Norwood also donated some lights they had used for their Christmas light spectacular.
Norwood employee Lauren Halkett said they heard the story and wanted to help. ‘‘We got so much joy out of having these, we just wanted to pass it on to him.’’
The lights were to be delivered by the police tractor to add an extra thrill for Lleyton.