A single mum has revealed how she was cruelly bullied about the state of her garden on Facebook.
Melissa Austin, 32, from Lancashire, took to social media last week to ask if anyone had a spare garden table to replace her broken once.
But instead of offers or advice, she was inundated with nasty comments about her garden from strangers.
However, the story has a happy ending as neighbour Samantha Bradbury, who saw the horrible comments, was so horrified that she felt compelled to offer a helping hand.
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The 44-year-old stepped in to paint Melissa's fences and mow the grass, with the help of her 13-year-old daughter, Erin.
Melissa was totally taken aback by the kind gesture and the pair have since struck up a friendship.
Melissa explained: "I got some nasty comments saying my fence panels could do with painting and my grass needed cutting - I said I know that and I'm just looking for a table.
"It was kind of upsetting at first because when you ask people for help, some people give it, some people don't."
She added: "I was upset and then when Sam messaged me saying 'I'll come and do it', I was like 'are you sure that is something you want to do?'
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"I was overwhelmed with the stuff that people wanted to do. I was very overwhelmed that this random stranger wanted to do something so generous.
"I was happy that someone had come to take the time out of their day to help somebody. She's such a nice, lovely lady.
"My daughter loves it because now we've got a table she can sit outside and my little boy loves being in the garden."
After Samantha got to work on the garden, she posted a before and after picture on Facebook, saying she was thrilled that the 'trolls didn't win'.
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She said: "A young single mum was asking if anyone had a spare garden table that she could have because her parasol had blown over and smashed hers the night before.
"I did have a wooden garden table which was quite battered and old and thought she could have that - but another lady offered to give her an iron table, so she didn't need my one.
"A couple of trolls were commenting things like 'look at the state of your fences' and 'you want to get your grass cut'.
"They were quite horrible - if that was my post they would have upset me so much that I would have deleted it.
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"It was the fact that they were so negative - it was like they were putting her down.
"I just felt really compelled to do it and don't like people being picked on - if I ever see anyone who needs assistance I'd help them.
"My daughter Erin was really keen to come with me and she was a good help - I was really proud of her. When we arrived at the house, we unpacked the paint, paintbrush, lawn mower and tarpaulin - and she made me a cup of tea.
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"She said she didn't have a lawn mower and that somebody normally comes to do it for her, but due to lockdown she'd not asked them to do it.
"We really cracked on with it - obviously I wanted to be there for the shortest time as possible so the kids weren't cooped up in the house."
Melissa was totally overwhelmed by the kind gesture and the pair are now keeping in touch via Facebook. And it seems the children have also struck up a friendship, too, with Samantha explaining Erin was talking to Melissa's daughter through the window.
"I just thought it's nice for her to know there's people my age who are willing to be there for her if she needed them," Samantha continued.
"When I was a young single mum I had a lady down the street who I didn't know when I moved in, and now 19 years on we class each other as family.
"She was always there for me and I could go and have a cup of tea when I needed to have a chat - having people like that over the years has gotten me through life a lot.
"I don't expect anything off her in return, but I'm sure once we're out of lockdown she'll probably invite me around for a cup of tea.
"To see how many people have shared and liked it is just fantastic - I didn't expect it to have such a big reaction.
"I think it's just resonated with others as it makes you remember that there are people out there who are willing to do things like this for each other - it's not all negative."
Samantha also explained that while she and Erin were getting to work in the back garden, Melissa and her children remained indoors due to the social distancing measures.
I think we can all agree this is serious neighbour goals - round of applause for Samantha!
Featured Image Credit: Kennedy News and MediaTopics: Real,, Life News, Style