I arrived on the train from Sydney close to midday on Thursday, 29 January.

As I went to tap my Opal card on the machine closest to the road, it slipped from my hand and disappeared a long way down into overgrown grass and bushes never to be seen again.

Or so I thought given how far down it landed and how steep the terrain was.

I knew I would soon be applying for a new one.

As my friend and I were about to walk away, a small group of young boys, who had obviously witnessed the event, appeared.

Without a second thought, one of them scaled over the fence and, somehow finding a couple of tenuous footholds, lowered himself to the ground.

He was able to retrieve the card after fossicking through the dense foliage

We all held our breath wondering how he would get back up.

The alternative wasn’t a good one.

It seemed no trouble for this young man despite the return journey taking longer and being more arduous.

A small crowd had by now gathered and along with his two or three mates he was given rousing applause.

I was incredibly grateful and in awe of his kindness and ability.

His name was Josh, he was probably about 14 (I'm 75), wearing a cap and glasses and he and his mates had skateboards and were off to catch a train.

I hope he or someone he knows reads this story because it is my way of saying thank you Josh! What a fine example of youth.

Eileen Guthrie

Willoughby East