By
Gary Moug
ARTHUR WILLETTS has always been a generous sort.
 In the days when he travelled all over the country following his beloved West Bromwich Albion football team, he always made sure to bring back a present for his wife Betty and daughter Christine.
Arthur’s altruistic nature even led to him sending donations to people he’d read about in newspapers who were going through difficult times.
Sadly, Betty passed away in 1983, but Arthur, who comes from Smethwick in the West Midlands, kept on giving to those in need.
Over the years he’s built up quite a collection of thank you cards from folk touched by his selfless actions — including several Sunday Post readers.
Marvellous
Arthur’s love affair with this paper started some 50 years ago when he would regularly borrow his Scottish neighbour’s copy.
Today, he’s a subscriber in his own right — and he’s now sent a marvellous cheque for
£200 to our Sick Children’s Appeal in memory of his beloved wife.
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 Arthur with Betty, who sadly passed away in 1983.
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Arthur, a retired tool setter, said, “I met Betty in 1944 on a Sunday school trip and we married two years later.
“She was beautiful, we went everywhere together.
“Never a week went by without me giving her a bunch of flowers, which she loved.
“I didn’t wait for birthdays and anniversaries. If I saw something I thought she might like, I bought it as
a surprise present.
“During that time I was a football fanatic. I travelled to matches all over the place with my friend Les. Once the match was over, Les and I would head for the shops to buy gifts for our wives — usually clothes.
“In 1951, when our daughter Christine was born, I would bring two presents back — one for my wife and one for my daughter!
Miss her
“Betty passed away in 1983 and I still miss her. She was only 55.
“After she had gone, I decided to keep on giving ‘presents’. If ever I read a newspaper article about someone who’d lost money or couldn’t pay a bill, I’d try to help.
“I once read a letter in
The Sunday Post from a woman whose daughter had her purse stolen. I can’t remember how much money she lost, but I sent her a donation.
“She’s now grown up with her own family but, although we’ve never met, I still exchange Christmas cards every year with her and her parents.
“Another time, donkey’s years ago, Francis Gay wrote about a lady who couldn’t get a wedding dress, so I sent her £100.”
That was in the days when £100 was worth considerably more than it is now. Arthur also recalls sending money
to a teacher who taught at a school in Rosyth.
“I read that the school had some problems so I sent money to pay for a Christmas party for the pupils,” Arthur added.
Santa Arthur
“I still send a donation every Christmas and receive thank you letters from the pupils, who call me Santa Arthur!
“I also remember sending £20 to a woman who, for some reason, wrote to my local newspaper to say she couldn’t afford butter!”
Arthur regularly sends money to good causes and was moved to send £200 to our campaign after reading our story about eight-year-old Meghan McWilliams,
the little girl with breathing difficulties.
He said, “I read about Meghan and some of the other stories. I thought it would be a nice idea to send the money in memory of Betty and I’m sure it can
help in some way.”
It certainly will.
And we’re sure everyone will agree it’s another magnificent gesture from a man for whom the word “charitable” could have been invented.
 IF YOU have a
special reason for contributing to or raising funds for our appeal
then we’d like to hear from you.
It could be that
you’d like to thank caring staff for the treatment they’ve
provided in your hour of need. Or perhaps a relative spent time in
one of Scotland’s children’s hospitals and the experience has
left a lasting impression on your family’s life.
Whatever the reason,
please let us know.
We’d be delighted
to share your experiences with our readers. And, who knows,
it may inspire others to follow in your fund-raising footsteps.
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