IT is always extremely sad to report on a stalwart being the victim of a cruel act.

This week renowned district musician and stalwart Lou Blackwell was on the receiving end of opportunist thieves who stole his life’s work and collection of valuable instruments and sound equipment.

Such a horrible, unjustified and shameful act is horrendous, but the bright side of it has been the community response.

Within a day of the theft, a friend of Mr Blackwell’s had set up a crowdfunding page to raise the equipment’s worth back, which is an extraordinary act of friendship.

It’s important to remember that while these acts of crime can devastate people, it also brings out the best in us all, which is something to keep us pushing through the darker times.

We may get angry, we may call for justice, but when it boils down to it, we just want to see our friends and family happy.

Mr Blackwell has put his soul into the Maldon district community, and the community has loved him back.