Supporters rally round theft-hit orphan charity (From Evesham Journal)

Supporters rally round theft-hit orphan charity

8:00am Saturday 23rd June 2012 in News

A CHARITY has thanked generous members of the community who have made donations to replace hundreds of stolen items which had been destined to improve the lives of orphans.

The goodwill of Vale villagers in Bishampton and beyond comes after thieves broke into a storage container filled with donated clothing, blankets, toiletries and toys which was being collected for destitute youngsters in Tanzania, Africa.

Orphans in the Wild trustee Marion Gough said she had been heartened by the reaction of people to replace the stolen items, after coming to terms with what the ‘despicable’ thieves had done.

“I have had a number of donations. One lady sent 60 baby blankets and two bags of knitted teddy bears.

“Ordinarily I wouldn’t have taken the toys as space is precious, but with such a large void to fill they are very welcome indeed. I have also been offered £50 to buy soaps and toothpastes – how generous is that?”

Mrs Gough said that hundreds of different items had been taken by the raiders, including about 200 school uniforms.

“The bottle green joggers, tops, blazers and shirts are from Cavendish School and have the name printed on them, so should be easy to spot,” she said.

The stolen items had been collected over the past two years and the 40ft storage container was almost full and ready to be sent over to Africa.

Orphans in the Wild’s work in Tanzania, one of the poorest countries in the world, has included improving hospital services, establishing an HIV/AIDS treatment centre, schools and creating income-generating projects.

Anyone with information on the theft which took place on Saturday, June 2, at the container in Bishampton, should call police on their non-emergency number 101.