Editorial: Repellent act opens hearts, creates loathing

Mark Dawson, Editor of Wanganui Chronicle

Even from bad things some good can come.

The theft on Thursday of the collection bucket from an elderly woman selling poppies to support the RSA is sickening and it has provoked plenty of outrage.

"Bloody disgusting", "low-life scum", "a disgrace to our community" are just some of the comments on the Chronicle's Facebook page about the thieves, with one suggestion that they should be sent to the "frontline".

That two young women could stoop so low is a shocker; less surprising is the response from people offering to make up the missing money. That sense of concern, generosity and fair play shows the true colours of most people in our community. It is the Wanganui we know.

It gave the Chronicle no pleasure to report the theft, which occurred in the city centre in broad daylight ... another bad look for the city. But at least we can take some satisfaction from being able to report today that the incident has prompted a number of spontaneous donations and, as a result, the RSA will not be out of pocket.

But, of course, it is not about the $300 grabbed by a couple of sad and desperate people.

The real cost is the impact on the poppy seller - an elderly woman who is likely to feel shocked, distraught, possibly a little scared and maybe somewhat distrusting of people now. It is the sort of thing which shakes one's faith in human nature.

So Wanganui RSA general manager Dave Large is right when he says: "We're more interested in the welfare of the lady than the money that was stolen".

We wish her a speedy recovery.