ON January 2 a man came into the Cancer Research shop in Blackburn, asking how he could get to it with his car as he had six bags of clothes to donate and the gates near the Library were locked.

Unfortunately, no one knew of an alternative way to get the car to the shop. Undeterred, he inadvertently drove in past a No Entry sign and was pounced on by a traffic warden who booked him, although it was a charitable act he was trying to carry out when he committed the offence.

I know we were into the New Year, but it was obvious which one had been influenced by the spirit of goodwill and which one acted like Scrooge.

The shop's staff, who witnessed the event, were shocked at the way a good deed was rewarded by such an unforgiving person who should note that cancer is a disease we all face the possibility of suffering directly or indirectly at some time.

The staff would like the driver to know they all feel sorry for the way things turned out, but were grateful for his donation.

The next time I see a traffic warden being verbally abused by a member of the public, I'll think back to this incident and feel less sympathetic towards the warden who is 'only doing his job.'

Name and address received.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.