Vandals target heart op girl Philippa

The Sheffield schoolgirl, who is recovering from heart surgery, is devastated after vandals destroyed the trampoline she used every day to regain her fitness.

Philippa, aged 13, bounced on her 10ft trampoline every day after school after surgery last November to repair a hole in her heart.

The Meadowhead School girl bought the 129 trampoline herself using birthday money, but it was not until her successful operation a year ago that she was well enough to use it regularly.

Mum Rosalyn, 37, from Whinacre Close, Batemoor, said: "She always wanted a trampoline so, after getting money for her birthday, she used that and bought herself one, but because of her heart condition she wasn't really fit enough to use it at first.

"After her operation, though, she was never off it. It really helped her recovery."

Philippa's little sister Lydia, nine, who also has a heart condition and needs an operation in the next few years, also used the trampoline to keep her fitness up.

Now it has been destroyed, the family believe by thieves who tried to steal it in the early hours of Wednesday.

Two days earlier another trampoline was stolen from a neighbour's garden nearby.

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Rosalyn says the family dog may have frightened the thieves off.

"I am sure the dog disturbed them when they were mid-way through taking it to pieces to steal because when we woke up the following morning we found it all in bits," she said.

"They have ripped the bit the kids bounce on by trying to remove it from the springs and they have torn all the padding from around the edge.

"It is the second one they have tried to steal round here - one went missing from a neighbouring road last week.

"The people responsible for this must know they are stealing from children - I can't believe anyone would sink that low."

A South Yorkshire Police spokeswoman confirmed: "Police are investigating criminal damage to a trampoline on Whinacre Close in Batemoor. Police are also aware of a theft of a trampoline, at an address on Batemoor Drive. Inquiries are ongoing."

Witnesses, or anyone with information, should call the Woodseats Safer Neighbourhood Team on 0114 296 3680 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.