Thursday, August 24, 2023

Issue:

Mackay and Whitsunday Life

Paying It Forward One Grocery Shop At A Time

It is not every day a stranger offers to pay for your groceries.

Definitely not for local mum of two and Social Worker, Tash Frew.

Coming from the hospital with her three-year-old and her two-year-old, one of which had just had their dislocated elbow from a trampoline accident relocated, the last thing she needed was for her phone to have no service, and not be able to pay for her groceries.

“I was just so overwhelmed,” Tash said.

The children were struggling and were messing around and not sitting still which was making the situation even more challenging.  

That was until another local lady, Nicole Polley stepped into the checkout line behind Tash and began making silly faces at the kids, distracting them for Tash so she could focus on the groceries.

“She was keeping them busy and happy,” said Tash.

It was a few minutes later, however, when Tash’s phone wouldn’t work to pay the supermarket bill, that Nicole did something truly amazing - she stepped forward and paid for the family shop.

“I offered to transfer her the money afterwards, but that timed out too!” said Tash.

“And then she said, ‘Nah, don’t worry about it’.”

In an already overwhelming week, Tash was blown away by the kindness.

“I cried all the way home.

“In my line of work, I am usually working to help people, not the one getting the help.

“It was so beautiful. I am super grateful. And I will pay it forward when the time comes.”

Kindness from one local to another local. Photo: Shutterstock

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