Praise for the kind-hearted who help those in need
It's a testament to goodness. Out of the terror of the Philippines disaster came a rip-roaring, joyful thanksgiving for the decency and warmth of human beings.
I realise it's a topic which doesn't always sit well on a relaxing, over-indulgent weekend – but it should.
And the goodness is not that rigid, pursed lips, holier than thou sort, which makes the lesser among us cringe. Just honest and genuine generosity.
We spend so much time being outraged, miserable and sad at the world's horrors or our own personal traumas. And, if we're not careful, we are in danger of thinking the whole planet has finally gone to pot with no escape clause.
Well, take note – that is not so. Quite definitely and joyfully, not so.
No money can compensate for the horrendous loss after Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines. But that £33 million which was immediately thrown into the Disasters Emergency Committee appeal by our countrymen and women, many of whom are hovering around the breadline, was absolutely stupendous.
It restored faith – if that was needed – in human nature and took with it the goodwill, the love and caring of millions who knew no other way of helping.
While, of course, it's only the beginning of a massive rescue and rehabilitation mission, those who sent it so willingly needed no second thoughts and there was no agonising over whether or not they could afford it.
They just sent what money they could.
Then, blow me, in the same week, the Children in Need charity drew in a record contribution from our people – many of them who had probably already sent donations to the Philippines.
So off went the dosh.
A more obscure but nevertheless worthy plea saw £20,000 raised in an instant to help rescue a polar bear called Yupi from a Mexican prison. They need to raise a total of £150,000 for that and will no doubt get it.
These are all very different appeals and only three of hundreds of needy causes out there in our communities.
Because so many hearts respond with such love and so quickly to these tragedies, there is cause for rejoicing. These disasters can be heartbreaking, and the goodness shown by those rushing to rally round is spirit-raising. So let's rejoice in that. And carry on helping.
