Generous Bendigo donors paying off other people's lay-bys has become a regional trend

Big W Bendigo has confirmed it is among the shops to be included in the spontaneous giving.

Store manager Kimberly Staniforth said a man recently handed over $1000 to go towards paying off toys being purchased by local families for Christmas.

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"Most of the lay-bys were made around July for the store's annual Toy Mania toy sale, with the man paying off around $1000 in total,'' she said.

"The benefactor, who wishes to remain anonymous, said he wanted to spread some joy and give a helping hand to others. When we called each of the nine customers to tell them the good news, their reactions were total disbelief. Everyone was amazed that someone had done this."

The Bendigo Advertiser reported on November 4 that a mystery benefactor had come forward to pay off the lay-bys of 82 complete strangers at Toyworld Bendigo.

The story quickly caught the nation's imagination and was featured on TV, radio and newspaper outlets around Australia. It has since inspired many others to follow the example set by the original donor.

Philanthropy Australia chief executive officer Jack Heath said the generosity being shown in Bendigo would likely have a transformative affect on people's lives.

"A silver lining of the COVID-19 pandemic has been the reminder to all of us of our shared and common humanity,'' he said.

"This kind of giving - where there is no tax benefit at all - is motivated by genuine empathy.

"We have all seen the hardship and suffering that has come from the pandemic and that nobody has been exempt from the COVID risk.

"Generosity begets generosity and we've seen this practice begin in other regional areas of Australia - including Townsville, Shepparton and Gympie."

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Toyworld Bendigo store manager Debra Delves said after news of the first donation spread, many more people had come to repeat the gesture.

Ms Delves said about 40 more lay-bys had been paid for at Bendigo's Toyworld store since the story first came to light.

"Yesterday (Thursday) a somebody came in and made a donation that paid off another three lay-bys", she said.

"It's been so beautiful. I think that about 120 lay-bys have now been paid off by people wanting to help others.

"The fire brigade passed their hat around in the tearoom and they came in and were able to pay off eight lay-bys.

"It's absolutely amazing people are still doing it."

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