Mum left in tears after butcher's kind gesture

Friday 22 December 2017

"The best way to spread Christmas Cheer is singing loud for all to hear," according to Buddy the Elf. But one butcher in St. John opted for something else: he made one boy and his mum's day by giving him a gift with the "sweetest note" attached to it.

Every day since school started in September, Vicky O'Neil's three-year-old boy, Zachary, has greeted André Vitel at AR Vitel Family Butcher at Temple Court by popping his head in the shop on his way to school.

The mother of two told Express: "Since he started pre-school, every day without fail, come rain or shine, Zachary has gone in the shop to say 'Good morning Mr Butcher.' I don't know why he started doing it, I think he was intrigued by the metal curtain at the door. He was curious to see what was behind it."

Zachary's sweet ritual took an unexpected turn on the last day of term. Even with the Christmas break fast approaching, the little boy didn't forget to greet his favourite butcher. But he didn't expect Mr Vitel to be waiting for him in the doorway. Mrs O'Neil says: "He gave him a present and he also had something for my daughter who is 18 months old. Zachary was over the moon!"

But the biggest surprise came when Mrs O'Neill read the message attached to the package. It said: "Happy Christmas little man. You brighten up our day, every day," signed simply by 'The Butcher.' Mrs O'Neill says she welled up when she read the note. "I started to cry. It was so sweet and so kind. The butcher probably though it was nothing but I was so touched. I thought he might be thinking that Zachary was a pain for coming in the shop every day!

"I was so happy, it really made my day, I was beaming. I have actually kept the note on my inspiration board and I see it every day. It gave me such a nice Christmas feeling. It was such a kind thing to write!" 

Other Islanders felt exactly the same, over 500 of them liked the post Mrs O'Neill wrote on the 8,000 strong Facebook page 'Jersey Ask! Advise! Advertise!' to thank the butcher for his unexpected and thoughtful gift. She added in the comments: "When there is so much horror in the world, little things like this restore your faith in humanity and kindness don’t they?" 

Many praised Mr Vitel for his 'lovely' gesture with Matt Smith writing "Ahh mate you've softened for Christmas ... cracking gesture from a genuine top bloke & all the rest of the crew up there."

As for Zachary's gift, it has yet to be opened. It is patiently waiting at home under the Christmas tree and will only be opened on Christmas Eve, "as a treat," his mum promised.