One hears so many complaints about the unfriendliness of people in the South, and the erosion of service and standards of our public services, especially the NHS. Last Saturday I witnessed at first hand the very opposite of that.

My elderly father-in-law fell heavily while walking in the pedestrian mall at Castlepoint Shopping Centre and smashed his face.

Within moments several people came to his aid. Our sincere appreciation and thanks go to the following:

  •  to the beautiful lady who very kindly helped my wife clean away the blood and make him comfortable as he lay on the cold concrete pavement,
  • to the numerous strangers who came to enquire, offer assistance and phone for the ambulance,
  • to the Sainsbury’s staff and first aiders who came outside and professionally and kindly attended to him,
  • to the ambulance crew who were so efficient and gave him special attention,
  • to the doctors and nurses at Poole A&E where he was treated with respect and dignity, and where he received excellent treatment, second to none.

It takes something like this to make one appreciate what we have in this country and often take for granted.

I would like to thank you and the Daily Echo and take this opportunity to praise everyone who helped.

John Heron, Wilverley Road, Christchurch