Boost to donations at burgled Sheffield shop

Following a report in The Star about the distraction burglary at the St Vincent’s charity shop, in Abbeydale Road, Sheffield, its manager Liz Mason says the shop has been inundated with donations and kind wishes from residents.

She said it had also been given around £180 from anonymous donors who have been hoping to replace the money stolen during the distraction theft, which took place at around 4pm on February 14.

Mrs Mason said: “I really want to say thank you for the kindness and generosity we have been shown since the burglary.

I’m completely overwhelmed by the response we’ve had.

“We didn’t expect all the money that’s been given to us - or for so many people to come in and see if our volunteers, who were here when it happened, are alright.

“We’ve had an awful lot of donations, and people saying how disgusted they are that someone could do this to a charity shop. It’s really nice to see everyone in the community pulling together like this. It’s been really lovely.”

The money stolen was taken from the till by a man who was able to gain access to it when he asked 66-year-old volunteer Christine Coppinger to look for some T-shirts in the back of the shop. At the same, time, a woman with whom he had entered the shop distracted her colleague.

When Mrs Coppinger returned the man left hurriedly. Staff realised the till had been emptied shortly after.

Police are investigating the incident, and ask wintesses to call 101, quoting incident number 738 of February 14, 2016.