Over the last couple of weeks I had begun to believe the milk-of-human-kindness cow had moved on to pastures new.

Firstly, someone tried to break into my business premises, and then I witnessed a poor man chase the contents of his shopping bag across the street as the handles broke on his bag.

In a bid to help, I ran into one of Sudbury's shops to beg a carrier bag for the unfortunate gentleman. The sweet, kindly looking, well-dressed, middle-aged assistant smiled courteously, refused me the bag and ran outside to watch the man wrestle his shopping into his tattered bag, leaving me somewhat saddened and bemused.

So when three young lads restored a little of my faith in human kindness, I felt I must publicly thank them.

It all began with a phone call from my eldest son last Saturday, around 9.30pm. He informed us that my husband's brother was feeling a little, erm, shall we say, unwell, and had collapsed in a hedge opposite the Pied Cow (enough said).

My husband, Martin, went to collect them and between him and my son managed to get him safely home, where he announced he had lost £50 worth of CDs, complete with receipt as he had only bought them that afternoon, and the mobile phone he had been given as a gift, as he had lost his last one while unwell the week before.

Feeling less than hopeful, my husband and son promised to go look for the missing items.

Returning to their car, Martin noticed a missed call on his own mobile. Calling the number, he got through to someone called Zac, who said he had the missing items and would like to meet up so he could return them to their rightful owner.

There were three young lads at the designated meeting place, all in hoodies. They not only returned the items, they were also reluctant to accept a reward, stating we were lucky they are chavs.

I felt I must write in about this incident as we always hear of how awful young people are but to be honest we all are guilty of being thoughtless at times. Thanks, lads.

PAULA DEAL-HEARD
Rockalls Road
Polstead