I WOULD like to thank an unknown lady from Hillingdon who was at the Coy Carp at Harefield last Saturday.

My wife and I had walked down from Springwell – my boyhood playground - and intended to have lunch at the Coy Carp.

However, having ordered, I realised I didn’t have my wallet with me, and it turned out that my wife had not brought her purse either.

The waiter was very gracious and accepted cancellation, even though he had already poured our drinks, when a voice behind us said: “No, you go ahead, I’ll pay for you and you can send me a cheque.”

After some discussion, that is what we agreed to do, but the lady, having paid via her credit card, then declined to give us her address and insisted she wanted us to accept it as a gift. She was adamant.

I managed to talk to a young lady in her group, who said that unfortunately she did not know the lady’s address but knew she lived in Hillingdon.

She said she knew she was a strong supporter of the RNLI Pehaps your columns may reach her.

If so, please let her know that a suitable and grateful donation has been made to the RNLI in respect of her kindness to us.

JOHN SHORT