Robert, a 75-year-old Citizens Military Force veteran, lost a Stihl chainsaw worth over $1200 straight after he bought it in May, but with the help of some kind hearted folk he has a replacement.

In May, Mr Sutton bought the Stihl MS 391 chainsaw from New Bay Mowers in the Batemans Bay industrial area.

He walked out of the shop and put the saw on the concrete path next to his utility because the passenger seat, on which he was going to put the saw, was covered with items.

He walked around to get the key from the driver’s side, but got in and drove off, forgetting the chainsaw. When he came back it was gone. He had given up smoking and saved for 18 months beforehand to afford to buy it.

However, things are now looking up, as he now has an identical replacement.

“Steve (Steve Spicer) at New Bay Mowers knocked $300 of the price of a new one, and people in the community donated $210,” he said.

“I still had to come up with nearly $600.”

Mr Sutton’s neighbour’s daughter put a post on Facebook letting people know what had happened.

“It got 70 hits, and even people who couldn’t afford to donate money still expressed their support,” he said.

“I really want to thank the people who donated money.”

Unlike many victims of theft, Mr Sutton was concerned for the welfare of whoever stole his original saw, as it is a powerful 60cc model not suited to inexperienced users.

“I was waiting to see someone going by with half a leg,” he said.

The original saw is on an Australia-wide Stihl registry, and Mr Sutton hasn’t given up all hope of getting it back one day.

“If I do get it back I will give the money that was donated to charity,” he said.

Meanwhile, he hasn’t been able to use his new saw due to a recent hip muscle injury, but at least he knows he isn’t alone in the mistake he made.

“A mate up in Queensland went out to chop firewood, and he took all the wood back home but forgot the saw,” he said.

“He said ‘me and you should start a club’,” he said.