By Kay Morrison

BBC Radio4 features a phone-in slot when people can say thanks for an act of kindness which could have happened many years ago when there was no opportunity to express appreciation. These accounts can be emotional and emotive, triggering an affective response in listeners.

One person was rescued from a lake by an unknown saviour. A taxi driver waived the fare to help a parent and new-born baby. The situations and accounts are many and varied but all show us at our very best when someone unknown to us desperately needs help which we can provide in a non-judgemental, open-hearted manner. We can be heroes.

Since the local authority election count, which did not go well for my team, people I scarcely know … and one or two I didn’t know at all … have given me quality hugs while murmuring helpful words. That generosity is worth its weight in gold, whatever way those people voted!

The main reason for my writing on this theme is to tell you about something that happened very recently. After a long day, I was cooking a pasta dish. (‘Dish’ is a grand name for something known in my family as a ‘gariboulyi’, a random combination of ingredients which may or may not coalesce into something fairly edible.)

Suddenly someone rapped on the kitchen window. Decidedly disconcerted, I saw a pale, frightened face emerging from the darkness. Predictably, I was anything but welcoming, asking him why he was in my garden and how he had scaled the fence. He simply repeated “Call the police. Call the police.” He was genuinely terrified.  Police officers arrived in minutes, dealing with the individual and the situation with professionalism and courtesy.

Almost immediately, people came to me, concerned about my wellbeing, spending time with me, assuring me of their support and offering further help should I need it. Their taking time to do all of that made a huge difference that night. Their kindness was uplifting. They’re no longer strangers. How could they be?

The kindness of strangers can transform a life powerfully and forever. 

Thank you, my lovely new friends.