By CAMERON LUCADOU-WELLS
LIFE could only get better after what has been a tough year for a Keysborough family – and it did late last week.
Things looked unbearably grim last Tuesday when Jane Jennings’ purse containing $640 was stolen from disabled toilets at Parkmore shopping centre about noon.
Being distracted with four-year-old son Banjo and 14-month-old daughter Violette-Rose in tow, Ms Jennings she said it was some time before she realised she left her purse behind.
“The money was for bills and for birthday presents for two of my kids this month. That had all gone by the wayside.” She was also facing the hard decision of cancelling Banjo’s birthday party this month.
The celebration was to double as a landmark for Banjo, who completed chemotherapy for a stomach tumour, as well as recovering from the removal of a kidney.
Ms Jennings has recently suffered a relapse of immense back pain and is on strong painkillers. She thinks she might soon face a second bout of back surgery.
Her husband Ryan has taken six months off work to be a full-time carer for his wife, Banjo and their other four children, meaning the loss of cash last week was crippling.
She felt “violated” and “sick” when her cancelled credit cards, which had been stolen with her purse, were returned in an envelope to her mailbox. “I felt like there was no fairness or justice left in this world.”
But help was at hand. When alerted to Ms Jennings’ plight by the Weekly, Parkmore centre manager Mark Tannahill organised an astoundingly generous response.
Parkmore retailers and the centre will give Ms Jennings vouchers to the value of more than $500. Strandbags, a retailer at the shopping centre, will also provide her with a voucher to buy a replacement purse.
And McDonald’s at the shopping centre will host a complimentary birthday party for Banjo and his mates next month.
Mr Tannahill said the gesture was a “coming together to support a community member who is need”.
Ms Jennings said Banjo’s party had not only been resurrected but there was hope to value-add to a trip funded by Make-A-Wish Foundation for the family to Queensland next year.
“He wants to see Scooby Doo at Movie World and to visit the dolphins. He’s experienced a lot that other children would never feel. It would be great for him.
“He’s getting a spring back in his step. He still goes to kinder – we try to keep life as normal as possible. He’s a lucky boy.”
Ms Jennings said the Parkmore retailers had “restored my faith in the human race”.
Anyone with information about the theft can call Crime Stoppers, 1800 333 000.
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