This is a reader's letter published in the Hereford Times on October 31.

Lilian James, Ross-on-Wye

I volunteer at a charity shop in Ross and am blessed by being able to park in the Baptist Church car park next door. 

Last Saturday I did an extra day and found my usual Friday parking was not available as the market was in full swing and all spaces were taken, so I parked at Sainsbury’s next door and paid my £4.20 for three hours. 

As I locked the car, I made a mental note not to forget that I had to move the car by 12.15pm and, you guessed it, I forgot. 

The shop was buzzing all morning, and when I did remember, I was almost 30 minutes late and the shop was full of customers. I frantically told them the problem, unceremoniously herded them out, and ran to the car park.

There, I found the parking warden had done his job well, spotted my misdemeanor, and issued my deserved parking ticket. On my return to the shop, I relayed the saga to incoming customers. 

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Sometime later, a gentleman came to me and said: “I don’t want to patronise you, but I want to pay your parking fine.”

With that, he placed £25 in front of me and walked out. I don’t even think I said thank you. I was simply stunned. 

I just hope that the man responsible for this kindness on October 19 reads this and will accept my thanks for reminding me, yet again, of the potential of kindness.