General News
15 December, 2024
Generous benefactor pays family laybys in time for Christmas
Generous benefactor pays Christmas laybys in Horsham Toyworld
Christmas will be a lot brighter for some this year due to the generosity of a Good Samaritan who popped into Horsham Toyworld and contributed to some laybys there in time for Christmas.
Trish and Rachel Munroe own and manage the family business in Horsham and Hamilton and were thrilled to participate in such a kind gesture and to see the effect it had on families.
" When people come into the shop to collect their layby, they are in disbelief that someone would be so generous; they just want to do something to show their appreciation.
"We have little cards they can write on, and we'll pass them on," Rachel said.
"We love telling them face to face and seeing the look on their faces.
"It is a fantastic reminder of the message of the Christmas Spirit: paying it forward can uplift many people.
She said that with the cost of living affecting everyone, the news would make Christmas much brighter for those who received this kindness.
"It will remove so much pressure from families juggling their budget and don't want their children to miss out.
"We have all been smiling here in the shop since it happened, and the look on people's faces when we tell them is incredible," she said.
"We are grateful too.
"Our customers chose to shop locally and with us when they have so many options, and the people who paid for the laybys have also chosen to support a local family-owned business, which means a lot to us."
"I think this experience is also a reminder that we live in a wonderful community, and it reminds us all that we can pay it forward in whatever capacity we have to do so."
People who have not collected their laybys will get the happy news by phone so they can collect their children's gifts in time for Christmas.
"This act of kindness will make such a difference to so many people, and I think as people in the community hear of this, it will make a difference to them too," she said.
Rachel said the focus of this act was not on its dollar value or the number of laybys but on the kindness, which represented the Christmas Spirit.