AND FINALLY

Proof that Britain is truly kind

WE NEED good news, don’t we? So here’s my dose for these chilly January days.

Not long before Christmas our village shop was raided. The tenants are from Sri Lanka, and have a small child. One night the wife, Shamala, was alone in the shop when some nasty blokes who had been in and out that day, being aggressive, came in, restrained her, and stole thousands of pounds worth of booze and cigarettes.

A terrifying experience for a (very petite) woman. The couple’s plight was made worse by the fact that after a robbery last year they had installed CCTV, but couldn’t afford contents insurance. You know how small businesses struggle (especially when there are supermarkets a short drive away) — but a village shop, open until 9pm, can be a lifesaver for a community.

Well, that community sprang into action. One kind, concerned person set up a fundraising page and within 23 days, 113 people had raised over £3,000 to help tide the couple over. Here is our shopkeepers’ response:

‘Thank you all for helping us after the robbery. You all gave information to the police bravely and have been helping us in the shop. I am grateful and happy because of this. Thank you for all the bouquets, cards and many other gifts.

‘Thank you for all this work and money that you have given us, enough for us to continue working in the shop successfully. You have been a great help and an amazing and courageous community by helping us a lot after this incident. A heartfelt thank you for all that you’ve done.’

Now our village is far from picture-postcard; a spread out parish on a through road from Bath to Bristol, without (it must be said) much personality.

I should think it will have even less when the big new housing development is finished. And yet…and yet… what kindness is here.

It’s essential to remember that this is the real Britain — so don’t choose the bad news.

Bel answers readers’ questions on emotional and relationship problems each week. Write to Bel Mooney, Scottish Daily Mail, 20 Waterloo Street, Glasgow G2 6DB, or email bel.mooney@dailymail.co.uk. Names are changed to protect identities. Bel reads all letters but regrets she cannot enter into personal correspondence.