FROM YOUR PAPER

It never ceases to amaze me how the people of Taranaki pitch in to help those in need. As you’ll read on page 4, Silvia Lewis was left with little after half her home was destroyed in a fire. Among other things, Lewis lost memory boxes she’d made for her two children and birthday presents for her son who turns two this Saturday.

Within a day of her story appearing in the daily paper and online donations of clothing, food, toys and household items were delivered. Lewis said the acts of kindness were overwhelming.

The beauty, amongst the ashes, of this story is this type of generosity is not uncommon - it happens almost every time a story of loss is made public.

Recently the story of Hawera boy Hakopa Knapp, 6, played out in media headlines. Knapp suffers from cerebral palsy and while his family was with him in Wellington, where he was getting surgery, their home was burgled. The community responded, quickly replacing the stolen items.

Isn’t it heartening to know we live in region where community spirit is alive and well?