Appeal launched to help charity shop hit by thieves

After a charity was targeted by thieves earlier this week, a kind-hearted lady has set up an appeal to help recover the lost money.

Emma Wilson decided to set up a Just Giving page so people could donate to St Barnabas Hospice after its shop and cafe was robbed overnight on Monday.

Zara Wool and senior manager Debbie Stringer outside the St Barnabas Hospice shop and cafe which thieves targeted on Monday night.

Thieves stole two safes containing £800 worth of takings from the store, £100 worth of raffle tickets and the contents of a collection tin which had yet to be counted.

It came as they look to celebrate a year of trading in the Market Place next week with a host of offers.

After seeing about the thefts on The Voice’s website, Emma is now hoping to help the charity recoup the cash.

It’s not the first time that Emma has helped a charity. In April she ran the London Marathon raising over £7,000 for the Teenage Cancer Trust in memory of her sister Louise (known as Scooby) who died aged 25 last year after being diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2014.

Speaking of helping St Barnabas, Emma said: “I’ve heard so many wonderful things about them and I just wanted to help give something back to these people that we never know, we might need some day.

“None of us knows what the future holds and we might need their support someday. They help make the lives of patients and their loved ones slightly more bearable at such a difficult time.

“For thieves to steal the amount they did, which isn’t a lot in the grand scheme of things, whatever they want the money for, it won’t last long!

“But it makes a huge different to a charitable organisation that relies on donations to keep going.

“My Auntie has always spoken so highly of the hospice and has always supported them so I felt I needed to help them recover these lost funds.

“If a lot of people chip in with even just a small amount, whatever they can afford, it will make a big difference!

“My family know exactly what it’s like to lose a close family member and although our Scooby wasn’t cared for by the hospice, they help so many others in exactly the same situation.

“At a time the charity shop should be celebrating, I don’t want them to feel down about this. It’s dreadful what’s happened but I’m hoping the people of Spalding can help restore their faith that a lot of us want to help and appreciate their hard work!”

To donate visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/oneyearanniversary