'Tears of joy' as Victorian couple generously pay off dozens of toy lay-bys

A Victorian couple has generously paid off 82 lay-bys at a toy store in the state's north in a kind-hearted "secret Santa" gesture.

Toy World Bendigo manager Debra said the anonymous couple walked into the store yesterday and while they weren't rich, they wanted to give back to local families doing it tough this Christmas.

The money they donated to the toy store was enough to pay off 82 lay-bys in full, which the store selected at random.

"These two beautiful people just wanted to change some people's lives," she told 3AW.

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"We have had a tough year here in Bendigo.

"They have been in the situation themselves many years ago knowing how tough it is at Christmas and financially they could pay it on - so that's what they decided to do."

The good Samaritans have chosen to remain anonymous, however they are locals in Bendigo and regular customers to the store.

Debra said the couple, who now are grandparents, understood how tough Christmas time could be financially for families.

"When they were a young couple, they had a lot of hardship at Christmas," she explained.

"One year of their lives they were so desperate they had to go to a local St Luke's- which is like a St Vinnies - because they couldn't afford to buy anything for their kids.

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"Over the years, financially, the kids have grown up and they are in a better place and they just know how hard it was.

"This year they could afford it - and that's what they wanted to do - to pay it back."

Debra said when she called people on the lay-by list, reactions from customers were priceless.

"We've had tears of joy, we have had people just in total disbelief and ringing back again just saying we just want to thank them," she said.

"It's just a beautiful feel. It was just magical."

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