Businesses give helping hand to Spalding charity shop after break-ins
A Spalding charity shop rocked by two break-ins within four days has been given a helping hand by two businesses in the town.
Customers of Westlode Fisheries, in Westlode Street, can buy fish, chips and other takeaways tomorrow (Friday) knowing that ten per cent of the takings will be donated to St Barnabas Hospice.
At least £800 in cash was stolen from the charity's shop in Market Place overnight between Monday and Tuesday of last week.
The shop was targeted again last Thursday when back door windows were smashed, but nothing was stolen from inside.
Fardous Ali, of Westlode Fisheries, said: "My brother read about how the hospice shop had been broken into in the newspaper and we thought 'Why not do something to help?'
"Friday is one of our busiest days so that's why we thought of giving ten per cent of our takings tomorrow to St Barnabas.
"But we'll also have a charity box in the shop as well for anyone who wants to make a donation to the hospice."
Westlode Fisheries are no strangers to supporting charities in Spalding after previously given donations to Pennygate Foundation and Agapecare Foodbank, as well as providing free meals to the homeless.
Fardous said: "St Barnabas Hospice is a charity that gives a lot of support to the community and we ourselves might need it one day.
"So I felt it was our duty to help out because it's not nice when something like a break-in happens, especially for a charity that gives so much to the community.
"We hope that whatever is raised at Westlode Fisheries tomorrow, St Barnabas Hospice will know that we've come together as a community to support this worthy cause."
Meanwhile, Moore Thompson Chartered Accountants have raised nearly the full amount taken from the hospice last week.
Emma Wilson, head of the accountants' fundraising committee, said: "These thieves weren’t just stealing from the charity, they were taking vital funds away from our loved ones who may be cared for now or in the future.
"Once we saw the reaction to this theft, we reached out to businesses and individuals across Spalding who have given generously, at short notice, to this fantastic cause for which we are so thankful."
Mark Hildred, managing partner at Moore Thompson, said: "We were so shocked when we heard about the theft from the store that we knew we had to help Emma in her campaign to raise money for the charity.
"I hope that our small donation to St Barnabas goes some way to helping it as it recovers from this appalling theft."
Members of the community have also helped St Barnabas Hospice, including youngster and big Spalding United Football Club fan "Mascot" Peter Bailey who donated his pocket money to the shop.
Debbie Stringer, retail manager of St Barnabas Hospice shop, Spalding, said: "We have been overwhelmed by the positive and supportive responses from the local community since last week’s devastating break-ins.
"This includes Westlode Fisheries generously donating ten per cent of Friday's sales to us and the fundraising by Moore Thompson Chartered Accountants.
"There was also a boy called Peter who brought his pocket money into the shop as a donation and we really can’t thank everyone enough for their kindness."