SHELLY Rudge was only doing her washing. It's a routine job, she tells us, one she does every other night.

But Wednesday evening was different. Shelley quickly smelled a 'horrendous odour' coming from the kitchen. When she rushed back into the room there were flames leaping from the washing machine and immediately knew she had to get her nine-year-old son, James, outside.

It has to be one of the worst things that can happen to anyone, but a house fire at this time of year is especially heartbreaking. The joy of Christmas turned to sheer misery in just a few minutes.

Most of Shelley's things went up in smoke that night, but since the ordeal, family and friends have rallied to raise £650. Some, who work at Cafe Nero outlets between York and Teesside, even donated their tips.

Another friend has put Shelley and James up in his flat.

This is a story in the true spirit of Christmas. A young family was facing a bleak midwinter, but how heartwarming the response from colleagues, not just in her own workplace but in the whole chain.

Christmas is a time for giving and for thinking of others less fortunate. Could there be an better example than this?