AGXStarseed
Well-Known Member
(Not written by me)
Autism Together fundraising officer Rick Myers with Peter Singleton, chairman of the Merseyside Police Federation
THE team running an autism-friendly Christmas grotto in Port Sunlight garden centre have praised the public’s overwhelming generosity after heartless thieves stole presents during two burglaries.
Raiders targeted Autism Together’s grotto at Port Sunlight garden centre earlier this month, stealing gifts meant for children.
The attraction was expecting to raise up to £3,000 for Autism Together before Christmas.
A crowd-funding page was set up after news of theft went viral on social media.
Merseyside Police Federation has donated £250 and almost £650 has been collected in total Rick Myers, Autism Together’s fundraising officer said: “We’ve been blown away by the response.
“It’s been overwhelming. We posted a simple message on our Facebook page telling our followers about the theft.
"It went viral and before we knew it over 100,000 people had seen it.
“We’ve had hundreds of messages of support and encouragement, people have set up fundraising pages and even brought along beautifully wrapped gifts.”
Autism Together’s grotto is raising funds for the charity’s Respite Appeal.
The appeal’s objective is to raise £120,000 to build two additional rooms onto an existing respite care home The Ferns, at Raby Hall in Bromborough.
Rick continued: “We’re at £3,300 and we’ve still got several busy grotto sessions left.
“We’d particularly like to thank the Merseyside Police Federation for their £250 donation, Lorna Mills, for her brilliant fundraising on our behalf, and Julie Povall, who set up a crowd-funding page for us.
“Nearly £650 has been raised.
“The money has helped us replace the stolen presents and the surplus will all go to our fundraising appeal.”
Anyone with information about the break-ins should contact police on 101 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Source: Charity staff 'overwhelmed' by kindness of public after thefts from Wirral grotto
Autism Together fundraising officer Rick Myers with Peter Singleton, chairman of the Merseyside Police Federation
THE team running an autism-friendly Christmas grotto in Port Sunlight garden centre have praised the public’s overwhelming generosity after heartless thieves stole presents during two burglaries.
Raiders targeted Autism Together’s grotto at Port Sunlight garden centre earlier this month, stealing gifts meant for children.
The attraction was expecting to raise up to £3,000 for Autism Together before Christmas.
A crowd-funding page was set up after news of theft went viral on social media.
Merseyside Police Federation has donated £250 and almost £650 has been collected in total Rick Myers, Autism Together’s fundraising officer said: “We’ve been blown away by the response.
“It’s been overwhelming. We posted a simple message on our Facebook page telling our followers about the theft.
"It went viral and before we knew it over 100,000 people had seen it.
“We’ve had hundreds of messages of support and encouragement, people have set up fundraising pages and even brought along beautifully wrapped gifts.”
Autism Together’s grotto is raising funds for the charity’s Respite Appeal.
The appeal’s objective is to raise £120,000 to build two additional rooms onto an existing respite care home The Ferns, at Raby Hall in Bromborough.
Rick continued: “We’re at £3,300 and we’ve still got several busy grotto sessions left.
“We’d particularly like to thank the Merseyside Police Federation for their £250 donation, Lorna Mills, for her brilliant fundraising on our behalf, and Julie Povall, who set up a crowd-funding page for us.
“Nearly £650 has been raised.
“The money has helped us replace the stolen presents and the surplus will all go to our fundraising appeal.”
Anyone with information about the break-ins should contact police on 101 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Source: Charity staff 'overwhelmed' by kindness of public after thefts from Wirral grotto
