CHIRP op-shop manager Collette Gaudin's faith in society has been restored after a 'kind” stranger walked into her store and donated money to replace the amount stolen from their cash box.

Collette says staff at the Merivale Road store are overwhelmed by the kindness of the stranger who replaced $116 that was stolen last week.

Collette Gaudin and Judy Tanner from CHIRP op-shop receive a $116 cheque from Tauranga South Community Patrollers Maureen Kathan and Graeme Mills with Sergeant Richard Martin. Photo: Tracy Hardy.

'He read about what happened to us on SunLive, and came in to the store today and gave us the $116 and a little bit more.

'He said to buy the staff some morning tea. We are so happy with what this nice gentleman has done. He told us he wanted to remain anonymous, so we will respect his wishes.

'This just renews my faith in our community – to know that there are some lovely people out there who want to do the right thing. Not everyone is bad.”

And it's not the only act of kindness for the store, which looks to help the less fortunate.

Tauranga South Community Patrol also contacted SunLive in the wake of Collette's story with an offer to replace the stolen money.

Despite hearing the money had already been replaced, Maureen Kathan from Tauranga South Community Patrol still wants to donate the money.

'We patrol in that area on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights,” says Maureen, 'and we know how difficult it can be to live and work in that area.

'So because we are the eyes and ears for the police, it's very important to us that the community knows the work that we do and that we are out there to help people”

The incident happened last week when one of the shop's staff members turned her back for a few seconds to grab something from the back of the store.

During this time someone came in and stole the cash box, containing $116.