A random act of kindness

Jannette Parke | 27th October 2009

GYMPIE man Bob Bingham believes in random acts of kindness. He was in the Bank of Queensland recently paying his rent, when he noticed commemorative coins on the counter.

Like many pensioners with grandchildren, buying Christmas presents starts early; he thought the coins would be an ideal gift for each of his four grandchildren.

Mr Bingham asked the bank teller if they would still be on sale in the following weeks because he was a bit short of cash and thought he might be able to put some money aside each week.

“When I can't afford something, that's it - I have to save for it or do without.”

When he got home, he was surprised to get a phone call from the real estate that manages his rental home. Apparently a woman standing in the bank had overheard his dilemma and had paid for all four commemorative coins.

“The bank couldn't give out my details, so they rang the real estate and the real estate rang me! I had to pinch myself - it brought tears to my eyes. The lady wanted to remain anonymous, but I'd like to give her a big hug and thank her personally.”

Mr Bingham believes it was a matter of random acts of kindness passing on down the line.

“Just a day or two before this happened, I gave a lady on the bus some change, because she didn't have enough for her fare.

“I think if you do a good deed, well, you don't expect anything but I do believe in the power of random acts of kindness.”