Rescued Today By a Man. Feeling very grateful

[NeverGoingToBeThinAgain]

I have a reliable little car (had for 7 years old) and it has never given me any trouble. A few weeks ago I thought it was taking longer to start than usual and thought I better take it into kwik fit to get checked but then it seemed to be starting fine again and I have to admit it slipped down my priority list.

Today the battery died on me while I was out with the dog and had a full shop in the boot (with frozen stuff). In the interest of cutting costs/saving money I cancelled my green flag membership a few years ago. Mainly because I only drive about in our local town and hardly ever do long journeys now and also because up to now I've never had a days bother with my car.

Obviously I was regretting that today. I was sitting in my car helplessly trying to start it for 5 mins and coming to the conclusion I was probably going to have to phone up the AA and get charged a huge fee to join and get jump started.

I then realised the man at the next car along was talking to the shop worker and asking if he had jump leads to try and help me. I was so touched to realise this complete stranger was taking it upon himself to help me when I hadn't even asked.

Anyway shop worker said they weren't allowed to give us jump leads due to insurance but they sold them in shop. Shit - I had no money with me as I had just popped down to collect shopping (done online all paid for). Stranger Man was on phone to his mum asking how much jump leads were in Tesco and they were £15. He then went into shop and bought jump leads and insisted I take them home with me. That was after he used them to start my car. He had already diagnosed the problem while we were waiting.

I came home and cried because I couldn't believe how kind this man had been (I'm in my fifties and overweight, so not some hot young thing).

So if you are married to a train driver from Fife who shops at Tesco (his wife was a train driver too he said) your husband was my hero today. I'm back home now and of course will be taking out an AA membership before driving anywhere and also going to kwik fit to get the battery changed asap.

The man was also with his two young children and so it was not convenient for him to help me as he had to look after them and he had just collected his own shop too.

We read on here bad things about people all the time and I have to say I never expect kindness from strangers. So for all those that have lost faith in men (or people) this is my story for you.

Meanwhile I pledge to play it forward and help out someone just for the sake of it.

So Mr Train Driver from Fife. At Tesco's today at 4pm - thank you very much.

Anyone else like to share a nice story about help from a stranger

I'm still grateful to the very kind total stranger who stopped to help, jump started my broken down car for me, on a dark night in the pouring rain, getting himself totally drenched in the process. An absolute star.

a few posters have suggested this. I'm not sure if the bloke would think this was invading his privacy or something though. I might phone Tesco tomorrow and see if they can identify him and then I can hand in a voucher for him that Tesco can pass on.

I think Adrian Chiles does a similar thing on Radio 4 on Saturday mornings.
It's great to read such a heartwarming story. The world would be a much better place if more people behaved like that. He was also a great role model for his children

Not read all the replies but I urge you not to try and contact him to give him a gift back.

He did this because he wanted to help you. It clearly made him feel good. If you repay him then you'll reduce the good feeling and make him feel weird and guilty in return. Just accept the lovely gift of his time and jump leads and leave it at that, as others said pay it forward.

It really does reduce the lovely feeling if someone insists on repaying you. It's only £15, not £150. He can clearly afford the gesture and was happy to do so. Lovely man, end of!

If you win the lottery tomorrow then by so means gift him £10K but otherwise leave it be

I know - why do people toot their horn at you. Do they think you are doing it for fun! Glad you got helped. Shame on the others for tooting and ignoring you.

that is nice to hear about it happening in reverse too.

How sweet.

Yes I understand. It's horrible when you need help but are scared at the same time. Thankfully it turned out well. I suppose the news only ever report the horrible stories as they are more dramatic and get more clicks.

thanks for another good tip.

This thread has actually reminded me of something that happened about 35 years ago when I lived in Surrey. Cars were being hit on purpose as part of fake insurance scams but I think there was another scam going on something to do with woman being hurt in cars. I can't even remember what it was but we had a policeman come to our work and give a talk and he said never leave evidence in your car that it belongs to a female.

He also said always check your back seat before you get in in case someone is waiting in the car for you.

I even remember there was some sort of blow up man that woman were putting in their passenger seat when they were driving alone at night.

I mean it was custom built for this purpose before anyone starts imaging the Only Fools and Horses scene with the blow up dolls.

I fear tv producers have missed out on a kids superhero - never mind batman etc. We have a new one for them 'Jump Start Man'. Even sounds kinda cool.

@NeverGoingToBeThinAgain yes people have been very helpful in my experience but the most helpful place was Marrakech.

That's true and his children were very well behaved so a real credit to him as well. They totally took it in their stride. Unlike my dog who was yapping away in my car making lots of noise. (probably picking up on my anxiety)

I had no intentions to contact him personally. I was only going to ask Tesco to pass something on. I wouldn't expect them to give me his details anyway.
You might be right though. I thought a Tesco voucher that he could use for his next shop or something. I'll have to think about it then if you think I shouldn't.
Any else got an opinion on this?

Hand something in for him at Tesco's (assuming Tesco's can identify him) or leave it be?

I know when I found the lady's money many years ago I was surprised but touched when Tesco called me up and said the lady had left £20 at customer services for me. It was completely unnecessary but it was nice to be appreciated. I'm sure Tesco would have told her as well they couldn't give out customer details thus why she got them to pass it on.

Well the original post has 325 likes/flowers etc. So nice that so many people have read it and shown their approval.

I actually missed a bit of the story out. After he started my car I got in and started looking for my phone which had vanished and accidently turned the car engine off. The man came over again and asked had the engine went out itself and I reassured him that it hadn't. It was me being an idiot. So he clearly was going to jump start me again if necessary. I then drove home without stopping in case the engine cut out again.

Thanks to everyone who has posted. Sorry I couldn't reply to everyone individually but I have read all the replies and they have nearly all been lovely.

Last year we borrowed a car which developed some sort of fault in the battery. It needed jump starting three times, each time we were out and about. We were a) surprised at how many people still carry jump leads in their car and b) how so many people were willing to help us out!
We ending up buying a battery starter pack to keep in the car just in case (and obviously fixed the battery first) as that's what lots of people had and recommended.

My husband was coming off the bypass one afternoon, and a car was driving towards him! It was an elderly gentleman, and my husband clipped the chap's wing mirror as he swerved to avoid him. They both got out, the old chap was shaking like a leaf at the realisation he'd almost driven on to the bypass the wrong way. My husband got into the chap's car and three point turned it for him, back in the right direction.

What a cheery post. 😀 About men. God it's refreshing.

Decades ago I was in a car that veered off the road into a ditch. We were in a remote area. It was snowing. Driving conditions were awful. Thankfully the road was extremely busy. A load of blokes (heroes) bailed out of the back of a work van and just lifted the Mini back onto the road. Like it was nothing. The car was still drivable so off we went on our merry way. A bit shocked but otherwise okay.

This was in Fife. In the early '80's.

That's so lovely, what an absolute hero. ❤️

It reminds me of the time I was with my mum, in her old car that sometimes cut out when it went through deep puddles! This particular day it didn't want to start again, but within seconds two lads in the car behind jumped out, and gave her a push to help get it started, which worked. This happened about 30 years ago, but it still pops into my mind from time to time. We were so very grateful for their kindness, and I honestly think of them as angels.

lovely thread this one. Yes, there are good men out there

Batteries do wear out so if you’ve had the car 7 years without changing the battery I would get a new one. If it was a fairly new battery a long drive would probably be enough to get it sorted.

Thank you, I am fine. She is in a lot of trouble.

Well add one to the number of people now with jump leads in their car. I wouldn't know how to attach them but I would certaintly offer them to anyone broken down (plus my car to attach them to obviously!)

So nice to hear several people offered to help. You really appreciate it don't you when you are in a sticky spot

that must have been terrifying for both parties. Glad your husband helped the old man out. He probably shook for the rest of the day.

Goodness another bunch of hero's in Fife. Starting to think the Fife tourist board should mention it on their advertising.

People helping you when you are really stuck (and panicking) is like a miracle isn't it. I really do intend to pay it forward.