An elderly Echuca woman had been searching endlessly for hand sanitiser in the twin towns because she was in the highest risk category for COVID-19.
“I went to Echuca Woolworths the other day and asked if they had any hand sanitiser, but they had run out of stock,” Nancy English said.
“I told this lovely, young lady that I was in the high-risk category and she told me to wait a second before giving me her own personal hand sanitiser as she could use what was provided by her workplace.”
That “lovely, young” woman was Woolworths employee Samantha McCartney.
The 24-year-old Kyabram resident said she was more than happy to help.
“We got chatting about her and she told me she had some health issues and she couldn't find any sanitiser anywhere and I remembered I had mine in my jacket pocket, so I gave it to her,” she said.
“She was very kind, and she needed it more than me.”
The 79-year-old from Langwarrin has temporarily moved to Echuca after being advised by her GP due to COVID-19.
“Sam made my heart sing,” Nancy said.
“She had no idea who I was, but she had no hesitation in putting my welfare above her own.
“It made me feel like she understood how frightening this situation is for the elderly and people who have illnesses.
“I hope they make her employee of the month.”
Samantha said she wished more customers were like Nancy.
“As a supermarket employee, it is hard having to deal with the number of negative customers on a day-to-day basis and it does get very stressful, especially now with the coronavirus drama, but the support from other staff members helps a lot,” she said.
“Along with the negative customers, we do get a lot of lovely ones too. People just need to remember; it doesn’t cost a thing to be kind.”