“My wife and I were on a week’s holiday on the Oxford Canal earlier in August. On Tuesday 4th she slipped on the boat and hurt her arm badly. We were due back at Rugby on Friday 7th and were moored at the top of the 3 Hill Morton Locks on the Wednesday evening, very concerned about how we would manage the locks with my wife’s damaged arm (which turned out to be broken).

We were on board having supper and praying that a solution would somehow be found, when WWCs Richard and Elizabeth Martin “just happened” to walk past. Seeing the Waterways Chaplain logo on their jackets, we got out and introduced ourselves. We learned that their aim was to be there when people needed help.

When we explained our plight, they immediately reassured us that they would help us to get down the flight of locks in the morning. We slept well that night knowing that these two Good Samaritans would be there when we approached the top lock at 9 o’clock. And yes, there they were, with the lock gate opened just as we approached. They, and the duty lock-keepers, saw us safely through the locks and on our way.

Please thank them for their help, at just the right time. A real answer to prayer.“