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Be of those who lend a hand where they can
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What we can learn from the kindness of strangers

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1st Aug 2018
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In a mad world that seems to have become increasingly unkind, partly because the good old accountancy concept of profit has left humanity far behind, a reality check can be useful. Not too long ago I questioned whether altruism existed and over the last week I have discovered that it does.

A few days ago, in the middle of the night, a large number of my neighbours had the misfortune to watch their homes going up in smoke. Tears and stoicism were the order of a terrible long dark night of the soul.

When everybody was devastated, they also discovered how generous some people can be in extremis but also how meanly others could behave.

Showing incredible bravery, entering a burning building, the fire brigade worked wonders, ensuring that there were no casualties and doing their best to save what they could of a flaming five-story structure.

Although the night was warm, the underdressed refugees desperately needed shelter and a selfless young man called Ryan opened West Hampstead's Black Lion offering succour along with his dedicated staff.

Arguably more impressive was angelic local resident Keira, a young woman with a heart of gold. She magically conjured up bags of clothes, hot rolls and even her own iPad and laptop, which were essential tools through the following day. Her efforts may not actually have saved lives but for those affected, it felt as if they had.

At the other end of the scale, a property agent arrived on the scene early desperate to drum up business. Even worse was an express-style local hotel from a global chain, which increased standard rates of around £100 per night to a stunning £300, having identified the weak and needy as ripe for ripping off.

Is there anything that we can learn as accountants from this near tragedy? I will never use the hotel chain again and will post suitably damning comments on Trip Advisor, so they have done themselves no favours.

On the other hand, those that gave their time and everything they could to help deserve to be rewarded long before they get to heaven (and they will certainly be heading there at some long distant time).

In a profession that is becoming increasingly professional, it might be worth taking time out to consider how the occasional kind or generous gesture could pay dividends many times over.

In summary, those involved will take years to get back to normal but none of them will ever forget the kind souls who made life bearable.

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