Never judge a book by its cover

Charlie Palmer realised good Samaritans come in all shapes and forms while on a trip to London in the January sales

Everyone was on a hungry, focused mission, armed with credit cards, the festive Boxing Day message was shop until you drop. The season of goodwill felt it was fading like the setting sun.

As I battled my way through the crowds the angel of the Lord appeared as ‘I bring Greetings of great joy’ came from the choir in the Piazza in Covent Garden – well not quite – but it did see something that was similar to a miracle as my legs were so weak all I could do was pathetically drag them along, clipping on pavement edges, one hand pressing on windows and walls. But as I approached the Piazza, low and behold, I came across three homeless guys sitting on some steps. They saw me approach, but all I saw was their disabled electric wheelchair.

Knowing that I had to navigate across the Piazza I cheekily asked “Can I borrow that?” to which the three possibly wise men burst into laughter saying “are you serious?” to which I then replied, “I’m deadly serious!”

The main guy, called Matt, stepped forward and said “Yes, where you going?”

“To the Apple shop,” I replied. He said “Jump on, it’s all yours!”

I couldn’t believe my luck! I was in shock and so very grateful.

I carefully motored the chair straight through the carol singers and crowds that thronged the middle of the Piazza, the chair gamely shaking over the cobbles, straight to Apple. Matt, who was now entering into the spirit of things, cried “Just drive straight in mate!” So I accepted the challenge and drove straight up to the counter.

Sadly, they couldn’t fix my Mac but offered to send it off to be repaired which took around 45 minutes to arrange. By that time Matt had left and I was starting to flag and desperately in need off a pee plus something to drink and eat – the joys of having multiple sclerosis (MS). So I asked the store guy, Rob, could he please get me a can of coke and a chocolate bar. Not part of his job description I am sure, but with hesitating off he went and kindly returned with an Amazon branded sugary drink and a pot of pink and white chocolate mice. I immediately said to him “You’re a legend’, guzzled the drink and ate maybe five chocolate mice, after which I could feel my body coming back online, enough to walk out of the shop on my walking poles. Slowly, I manoeuvred my way through the busy crowds with one guy who was clearly drunk shouting “All right mate, where you off hiking?!” to which I replied “Sod off I’ve got MS.”

However, as I approached the homeless crew again (my new friends) Matt jumped up saying “where do you want to go now?” So I asked him if he would mind if I used the chair to get back to my car which was parked near to Charring Cross. “No worries, brother.” Was his reply, “Let’s go.” So he walked along beside me carrying my rucksack. When I got to the car I told him how very grateful I was. In return he told me his story, how he’d been on the streets for 17 years and actually he was from Manchester where he had four kids. I felt embarrassed as I only had a credit card on me, but I sincerely repeated how very grateful I was to him and his friends and somewhat sheepishly I offered him my pot of chocolate pink and white mice. He was over the moon, accepting them joyfully. We had a big heartfelt man-hug and as he got on the chair we both wished each other a Happy New Year.

What was interesting in amongst everyone I met that day, the people who had nothing gave everything and the people who have everything were too busy shopping to even move out my way or offer me a seat or help.