Editorial: Goodwill abounds but beware

Linda Hall.

'Tis the season of goodwill and there's plenty of it about in Hawke's Bay.

One group, Out and About Living is Giving's charity drive under the guidance of founder Gabby Allen has reached out to hundreds of Hawke's Bay families through a number of organisations, with everything from toys and clothes to food and toiletries.

Mrs Allen estimates about $50,000 worth of goods have been distributed to those in need. That's incredible.

Fantastic work by Mrs Allen, however, as I'm sure she would agree her efforts would be fruitless if it wasn't for the amazing generosity of members of the community.
It never ceases to amazes me how kind people are.

Well, 99 per cent of the population know how to show a little kindness. But there are those around at this time of the year who take every opportunity to ruin someone's Christmas.

I read on social media this week about a woman who had her shopping snatched out of her hand as she exited a shop.

What an absolutely nasty piece of work.

I suspect the thief didn't just happen to be there at the time. More likely he/she had been hanging around just waiting for an opportunity to steal something.

I'm sure the woman was more traumatised by the experience of someone grabbing at her than by the loss of her shopping.

Stupid acts like this can go so wrong. Remember what happened to Lucy Knight when she intervened in a bag snatch. She was hit on the back of the head, fell and fractured her skull and suffered a brain bleed.

Callous acts like this can have far-reaching consequences so be careful out there, people.