Burglary-hit family are ‘overwhelmed’ by response
COMMUNITY RALLIES ROUND TO REPLACE STOLEN GIFTS
A FAMILY left devastated when burglars raided their home and stole every single Christmas present in the house have issued a heartfelt “thank you” after being inundated with gifts.
The presents had been wrapped and put into bags ready to be placed under the tree on Christmas Eve and given to family and friends.
But the gifts were all stolen by burglars who broke into the family’s home in the early hours of Tuesday. The family, of Manvers Street, Worksop, were left utterly heartbroken and without any gifts to open on Christmas Day. Mum Samantha Headland said her two children had been left in tears.
But the family have been amazed by an outpouring of public generosity after sacksful of gifts were donated.
The family were inundated with presents, vouchers and money from kind-hearted members of the public and businesses so they had something to open and celebrate at Christmas.
Ms Headland, 36, said: “I would like to say a massive ‘thank you’ to the public, businesses, small local charities and even a church that have all helped us.
“I can’t thank you all enough for all the kindness and support and generosity you have shown to us.
“We thought Christmas was well and truly cancelled for us but the support has been amazing. People have been little elves for us and it’s absolutely lovely.
“Thank you to everyone, it’s so overwhelming.”
The burglars even stole lateral flow test kits intended for the children when they returned to school after Christmas.
Inspector Neil Bellamy, of Nottinghamshire Police, said the generosity of the public had been “heartwarming to see”.
“We understand that burglaries can have such a huge impact on people, both emotionally and financially, and seeing members of the public, officers and businesses come together to buy presents and offer vouchers to the family is fantastic,” he added.
“It’s amazing to see people coming together to support this family and give them a Christmas and presents for them all, and especially for their children.
“I would like to personally say a huge thank you to every single person who has donated gifts, money and vouchers to the family and to everyone who has left messages of support. It’s so lovely to see.”
Anyone with information about the burglary can call 101, quoting incident number 37 of December 21.