Generous gesture
Sir,
I refer to the article 'Has anyone seen Bedtime Buddy' (October 11) which you kindly published as an appeal on behalf of my granddaughter Bex (my name for Becci) and myself, Nan (Becci's name for me).
Bex, and several of her teddy bears, had spent the previous Saturday night with me and we had gone down into the village the following morning so that she could spend her pocket money. Her many teddy bears are assorted in size, individually named, much loved and occupy every available space in her bedroom, and cover her bed. Two or three always sleep in bed with her, and these are the ones she refers to as her bed buddies.
Losing one of these little treasurers has been rather like a bereavement in the toy family. The fact that I was carrying the teddy bear in question when it disappeared weighs heavily on my sense of well being. With an unusually silent five-year-old clutching my hand and weeping huge, silent tears whilst struggling not to break down in such a public place, I was fighting to hold back tears of my own.
Over recent years all my visiting grandchildren have chosen to spend their £1 pocket money in Saundersfoot's Famous £1 Shop. Anyone who knows the layout of the shop will know that the toys are, for the main part, laid in baskets on the floor and along the wall; having 'free' hands to pick up and 'test' the toys is essential. The reason I was carrying the teddy bears, discarded coat, spade, handbag etc.
When we realised that teddy was missing, Bex and I retraced our steps from the car to the shop, barely 100 metres away, and back again, and again, and again! We asked the £1 Shop's proprietor, Colin Sharp, if he could look out for an orange coloured teddy bear in case it had been found and mistaken for stock. Colin did his best to comfort Bex by generously giving her a bag of sweets and a miniature teddy bear.
Unfortunately nobody responded to your kind appeal and we expected a sad outcome. Bex had several anxious nights crying, worrying about a teddy bear at risk in the cold and dark, thinking that nobody loved him anymore. Prayers were said. Then, a week later, when Bex was again with me, I received a message inviting us to visit the £1 Shop. Colin Sharp had a huge, soft teddy bear for her. His gift to a sad little girl. For once this little chatterbox was lost for words, but her eyes spoke volumes. What a generous shopkeeper.
In fact, I happen to know that Colin Sharp is frequently generous. Earlier this year he handed out free chocolate Easter eggs to familiar faces. He asked me how many grandchildren I now had, and when I said five he gave me five eggs! The children have from time to time been given a 'bonus' when spending their weekly pocket money at his shop. I also understand he supports local appeals and charity events. I believe this is simply the nature of the man, and would be interested to learn if other people have found this to be the case.
In this somewhat cynical, money grabbing, consumer society it lifts the spirits to discover someone with a generous and pleasant demeanor Thank you, Colin Sharp, for making my adorable little granddaughter (and me) happy again.
Becci's parents also wish me to thank Colin for his kindness, and the Tenby Observer for printing the appeal.
Marie Hurlow-Jones
(Becci's Nan),
'Pinewood',
Bevelin Lane,
Rushy Lake,
Saundersfoot.