Burglar's theft of poppy fund and Christmas raffle gifts prompts worldwide donations

A burglar who broke into a care home and stole cash from a Poppy Appeal fund meant for war veterans, and Christmas raffle prizes intended to treat residents, has led to generous donations from as far away as Cairo.

A burglary at Byker Hall Care Home in Newcastle Upon Tyne shocked the home’s staff who were horrified to discover the home had been broken into while residents slept on 5 November. “At 6am on 5 November, it was a cleaner working in the reception area who raised the alarm”, said Dawn Heppell-Marshall, manager of the 92-bed care home.

“She saw a monitor was lying flat face down on the desk and the Poppy Appeal tin tied to it was gone. Some of the prizes for our Christmas raffle were also missing.”

The burglar took raffle prizes of bottles of wine, Smirnoff vodka, Grouse whisky, Gordon’s gin, Morgan Spice rum and a men’s watch set and grooming kit.

“Money raised from the care home’s Christmas raffle would have been spent on more day trips out and treats for our residents. But it’s the theft of veterans’ money that is so shocking. We only put out the charity box the week before.

'Disgusted'

“The residents were disgusted that somebody could stoop so low and steal the charity box. Everybody feels so passionate about the veterans and heroes. It was so disgraceful. I don’t think its fit to publish what residents said about this crime.”

Twenty-year-old Jordan Bainbridge was locked-up for 12 weeks after he pleaded guilty to burglary with intent at South East Northumberland Magistrates’ Court. He was caught when he was arrested for a separate crime later that day and was found in possession of one of the home’s raffle prizes; a watch gift set.

Bainbridge was already subject to a suspended sentence at the time. He also admitted separate offences of being found in a premises for an unlawful purpose, obstructing a police officer, two counts of criminal damage and one of theft from a motor vehicle. Peter Farrier, mitigating, said Bainbridge suffered from a drug problem and couldn’t remember committing the burglary.

Tumble dryer, train tickets and holiday for six

In response to the Poppy Appeal theft, Graham Richardson, the owner of the Gateshead-based pub Pelaw Inn offered to host a charity raffle on 26 November, with all proceeds going to the Royal British Legion.

And since the burglary, which led to a review of the care home's security, donations from far and wide have arrived for the care home’s Christmas raffle- just in time for its Christmas Fair on 9 December.

Ms Heppell-Marshall said: “A company has donated a tumble dryer. We’ve had first class Virgin train tickets, a caravan park holiday for six and £25 donated from someone in Cairo.”

While a funeral director has donated cosmetics and tins of biscuits, a company in Durham called Lanchester Wine & Cellars sent the care home a luxury food hamper.

“Everyone’s been so generous. Its been amazing. We never expected to receive so many gifts!”

click here for more details or to contact Byker Hall Care Home