Dozens of Toyworld lay-bys were paid off by a mystery woman

Christmas has well and truly come early for a Townsville family, who have been left “forever grateful” for the kind actions of a stranger.

CHRISTMAS has well and truly come early for a Townsville family, who have been left “forever grateful” for a stranger’s random act of kindness.

More than 20 Toyworld customers are understood to have had their lay-bys paid off by a local woman, who wished to remain anonymous, on the weekend.

Townsville mother Natasha Vidler got the shock of the year when she got a call from a staff member at Toyworld on Sunday, telling her that her Christmas lay-by had been paid off.

Christmas Miracle

At first, Mrs Vidler said she misunderstood and thought her lay-by had been cancelled, but quickly teared up when she realised what had happened.

“I teared up at first, and then I was speechless, I didn’t know what to say or do – just had tears of happiness,” Mrs Vidler said.

“I rang my husband and he was shocked. Nothing like this has ever happened to us before.”

Mrs Vidler, mother of Hayley, 8, and Lucas, 5, said she would make sure her children knew how their Christmas gifts came to be under the tree this year.

“She has made my two kids very happy, once they open up their presents I will tell them this was an act of kindness and that a lovely lady did this,” she said.

“I say to the kids to be kind, do your acts of kindness and you don’t need anything in return.”

After some health setbacks this year, Mrs Vidler said this surprise could not have come at a better time for her family.

Christmas Miracle

“This time of year is tough for everyone … And some lovely stranger comes and does this.

“I’ll be forever grateful for her and never forget her, even if she doesn’t want her name out there.

With the last two years overshadowed by the dark cloud of the Covid-19 pandemic, Mrs Vilder said it was refreshing to see the good in the Townsville community.

“We shouldn’t be painting everyone with the same brush, there are still kind people out there with kind hearts.”

Originally published as Dozens of Toyworld lay-bys were paid off by a mystery woman