St Mary’s Hospital toys theft: ‘Heartwarming’ response as £20k raised for sick children
The santa suit, which was used last year to hand out gifts to the children, was also stolen Picture: COSMIC - Credit: Archant
Seriously ill children in St Mary’s Hospital may yet have a happy Christmas after a charity raised more than £20,000 to replace stolen presents.
One of the toys stolen from the charity Picture: COSMIC - Credit: Archant
Toys, decorations and even a Santa suit intended to brighten up the sickly children’s Christmas were taken from a storeroom in the Paddington hospital sometime between October 3 and November 17.
The charity Children of St Mary’s Intensive Care (COSMIC) had organised the toy donations, which were worth about £3,000, but with the theft there were fears the Christmas plans would not go ahead.
Tina Halton, lead play specialist St Mary’s, had said: “I was so sad when I heard that we may not have Santa this year.”
But now COSMIC, which set up a crowdfunding page asking for £3,000 to replenish the toys, has already collected £20,750.50 in donations.
In a statemenet, COSMIC said: “We would just like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has donated to our COSMIC Christmas Appeal following the news that donated toys and equipment for upcoming events such as the Children’s Christmas Party and Carols by Candlelight Concert had been taken.
“The messages of support have been truly heart-warming; thank you everyone who continues to support the appeal.”
To donate, click here
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If you have any information about the theft, call police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or by visiting crimestoppers-uk.org
