'Stunned' mum repays act of kindness after stranger pays for shopping in Haydock

Jemma Lunt, from Haydock, said she was "absolutely stunned" that a man offered to pay for her shopping after her card was declined at Lidl.

As providing for five children can be "very costly", especially during a cost of living crisis, Jemma said that the offer made a real difference to her and her family.

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Jemma's five kids (Image: Jemma Lunt)

Amazed that a complete stranger would pay for her shopping and refuse to be repaid, Jemma explained that she wanted to pass this generosity on to someone else in the community.

Aware of the Christmas toy appeal at Dunelm, the Haydock mum decided to buy three presents for the project to pass on the act of generosity and help provide gifts for struggling families this Christmas.

Presents bought by Jemma for the Dunelm Christmas appeal (Image: Jemma Lunt)

Jemma said: "I've heard of people doing nice things for people they don't know before, but I've never had it done to me so I was just shell-shocked when it happened.

"I was absolutely stunned that someone would actually offer to pay for my shopping when they probably will never see me again.

"It restored my faith in humans and I felt bound to pay this kindness forward."

The act is not the first time Jemma has repaid an act of kindness, as she now volunteers at St Mark's Church Cafe in Haydock after the organisation supported her family with food hampers throughout the pandemic.

Paying forward acts of goodwill is something she hopes the community can continue to support one another throughout the cost of living crisis.

Jemma has paid the kindness forward by donating Christmas presents to Dunelm (Image: Jemma Lunt)

Jemma added: "The young man really didn't need to do this, but the money he saved me can make a big difference in my bills while paying for five children.

"I feel bound by karma to pay forward things like this so hopefully the presents can make a difference too."