We need more Pat Matthews'

The late US President George HW Bush described volunteers and those who give their time to their community and for the benefit of others as "a thousand points of light on a broad and peaceful sky". It was a lovely analogy, and here is a fine example.

I spent today in Priti Patel's constituency of Witham. Walking to a meeting  I spotted a decorated pillar box and crossed the road to see what it was.

It was a crochet and knitted 'winter wonderland scene' which overnight have appeared on 12 of the town's pillarboxes. Each has been lovingly produced showing a different traditional Christmad scene. They were attracting a great deal of attention, especially from children.

On closer inspection they turn out to be the work of one community minded lady called Pat Matthews and are designed to raise money for a local hospice (as the laminated note below explains).

What a lovely, thoughtful and selfless thing to do. In a word of "me me me" and amid the vulgar commercialism which now defines Christmas, I found this lady's efforts to brighten up her town while raising money for a local hospice to be quite moving and humbling.

I don't know Pat Matthews and I suspect we shall never meet, but I have just made a donation to the hospice via her Just Giving page. I am sure the hospice does wonderful work but more importantly I wanted to express my thanks and appreciation to this lady who has gone to do much effort to make a difference for her local community.  This world needs more Pat Matthews'.

Here is the link if you'd like to donate
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/peter-tidd1