ON the cold, wet and windy morning of February 12, a Manfield parishioner was walking to church when her hip went out of joint and she found herself in difficulty as she inched along the deserted road.

Then she heard a rhythmic footfall which indicated she was being followed by a runner. He was not a native of the village and was returning to Darlington when he had set off to complete a circuit in preparation for a marathon.

He broke his pace and walked with parishioner along the road, supported her up the churchyard path, negotiated the porch with her and brought her into All Saints’ Church as Morning Service was beginning.

He left her in the care of the churchwardens before leaving to resume his interrupted running schedule.

It would be good to meet him again to offer a warmer Manfield welcome but for the moment one can only offer a wholehearted thank-you for his selfless, kind actions and we hope that his marathon preparations reach a successful conclusion.

This is a ray of sunlight story in an otherwise cold and grey month.

Richard Watson, Manfield