There was true moment of generosity and Christmas spirit in Belfast recently after a manger at a well known department store offered to help an elderly woman in desperate need.
The moment of goodwill came earlier this week when the manager of Marks and Spencer in Forestside Shopping Centre in Newtownbreda, Belfast, offered to pay for an unfortunate pensioners shopping and a taxi home after she forgot her purse.
The tale of events that will surely show many of us the true meaning of goodwill to all men happened in the busy store in the middle of the pre-Christmas rush when the woman known only as Freda, only realised she lost her purse when it came time to pay for her Christmas shopping.
However thinking all was lost the distraught pensioner was given a helping hand by the unnamed manager who stepped in to graciously see that she would be taken care of.
The remarkable story which has captured the hearts of many came to light recently when Andy McCormick, whose grandmother Rachel Saunders lives beside Freda, decided to share the it on Facebook.
Speaking to Belfast Live, Andy, 24, said: “I went to see my gran last night and she was saying that her friend who lives next door was out doing her Christmas shopping and went to Forestside .”
“She got a taxi to the shopping centre but when she got to the check out she found her purse was missing.” “The check-out assistant ran to the taxi rank because that was the last place she had it and they checked for it and asked security but no one had handed it in. They called the taxi firm as well but still no one had handed it in.”
“She had just got her pension for over Christmas as well. “The manager then heard about it and said he would get her a taxi and pay for it, then he picked up her shopping and said, ‘that’s free of charge, Merry Christmas’.
“Freda said she wanted to pay, she had a £30 voucher for M&S at home and she wanted to bring it in but he said, ‘this is our gift to you’. “It was amazing, they really looked after her. I just thought people needed to know about it, I could not believe the reaction.”
“I just thought that we are good at spreading bad stuff and this positive gesture needs to get out there.”
What a true gentleman!