Last updated 11:21, Thursday, 13 November 2008

THANK heaven for men like Sam Weekes, the old soldier who gave away a National Lottery fortune to charity.

Chelsea Pensioner Sam lost an eye and almost his life in the Battle of El Alamein in 1942.

His was typical of the selfless spirit many of his colleagues displayed at that time.

Compare his decision to give away most of his £77,000 win with the selfish, uncaring attitude of the thieves who stripped metal plaques from a war memorial prior to Remembrance Day.

They probably made less than two hundred quid from the scrap value.

These days everything is fair game for the criminals and petty thieves, whether it be conning old people or nicking from a war memorial.

What a world of contrasts. An 88 year old with charity in his heart.

Thieves without a vestige of decency.