Editorial: Thank you to helping hands

It can be a cruel world we live in but let's give thanks that not everyone is hard-hearted.
We should be very grateful for the influence of people such as Barry and Patricia Coleman of Havelock North.
Many readers will know it was the Colemans who stopped to offer assistance to a motorist stuck on the side of the road after crashing his car near Wairoa and who, for their efforts, had their vehicle stolen from them.
The 24-year-old, now before the courts, stole the Colemans' car after they had offered him their shoes to climb a scrub-covered bank, gave him water to drink and a cellphone to call for help.
He then stole their car with all its belongings, including a box of 20 projector slides, precious family memories.
The Colemans, both 63, say that despite what happened to them, they would not hesitate to stop in future for anyone in distress.
Barry Coleman is well-known as a surf lifesaver. In other words, it is his instinct to help.
And isn't that a great thing! Isn't it reassuring to hear there are people prepared to stop and lend others a hand?
Like many people, the Colemans do not particularly enjoy being in the glare of the media. The couple told our reporter they would have preferred not to have had the stories that followed the theft of their car.
They may not be happy about having this column written about them.
I think it is worth the risk, however. Somebody has to say thank you.
Well done to Property Brokers for their annual charity auction in support of Relay for Life last night. It was a glittering event at the Hawke's Bay Opera House with some enviable items up for bids. The evening raised about $25,000 for charity.