Wealth gulf widens

I HAVE lived in Berwick for more than 20 years and always considered it a reasonably affluent area.
However, I have begun to revise my opinion.
Twice in the past couple of weeks, I have encountered individuals who were so reduced in circumstances that they are begging on the streets.
These were not drug addicts, disenfranchised youth, nor homeless desperadoes. One was an elderly Asian man, who very humbly and politely held out a small bowl and asked for small change to buy food.
I gave him what I had (which, given my own circumstances, was not much).
The second was an older woman, who was plainly unwell and in great distress. She said that she was diabetic, and needed to get to a chemist to get her insulin. However, she also said she had no money to pay for her prescription, nor any way of getting to the nearest pharmacy.
While I was not willing to take a stranger into my car, I did offer to ring for help (the Salvos, or the police or whoever she wanted). I also offered to buy her orange juice to help stabilise her blood sugar levels.
In this particular case, she refused, with some dignity, and walked away. I went into the nearest shop (as I know the staff fairly well) and asked that they keep an eye out for her, and if she returned, to call the police to come and do a welfare check, and help her out.
I was not intimidated by either of these individuals. In fact, I was deeply saddened that they should be reduced to asking for help in such a way. The man was humble and old enough to be my grandfather. So sad to be so reduced.
And the woman was obviously deeply embarrassed by her situation. I think she only asked me for my help because I inquired whether she was okay, as she was so obviously unwell.
I actually regret not taking her for help somewhere, and have been fearing all week that I would hear about her body being found nearby. I just hope someone else had the decency and strength that I lacked to help her.
I have also spoken to others in Berwick who have also encountered beggars.
Is this a growing problem due to our economic climate? Or just a sign of the changing community?
Certainly in my own experience, income that once provided for a little luxury, the odd meal out, some new clothes now barely covers our needs.
It seems to me that the gap between rich and poor is widening rapidly, and as a community we would do well to be concerned.
Fiona Berkholz,
Berwick