Children's charity request for public support after break-ins at two of their stores
East Anglia's Children's Hospices saw their premises in Hadleigh and Thetford raided by burglars
East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH) is calling for help from the public after two of their stores in Hadleigh and Thetford were broken into. They estimate that the overall cost to the hospice charity will be around £6,500, including nearly £3,000 pounds worth of laptops and tablets and £540 pounds in cash.
In addition, there was also significant damage to the shop windows and doors which will mean they will have to shut their doors temporarily, causing further loss of revenue.
Ian Nicolson, is their Director of Retail and Trading. He says the charity were relying on their retail income to provide care to children and young people over the festive period.
"A number of high-value items were taken at Thetford, in the process causing a considerable amount of damage, and then we had the break-in at Hadleigh.
“It’s shocking and saddening, given that we rely so heavily on profits from our shops.
“This year alone, we need to raise £5.4 million in retail income so for this to happen is a real hammer-blow, particularly in the run-up to Christmas.
“We have insurance for the cash lost and to cover the damage caused. However, unfortunately, business insurance doesn’t cover second-hand goods.”
They have now fitted alarm systems at the shop in Thetford, but Mr Nicolson says it came at a significant cost.
“It (new alarm system) came at considerable expense so we’re appealing for support and hoping people or a business get behind us.
“Anyone willing to put their hands in their pockets would be doing an incredibly kind thing.
“Every little helps and we’d also love to hear from any businesses, donors or trusts that might be interested in helping us recover our losses.”
In addition to the £1,000 required to cover the cost of the alarm system, they are also urging people to help fund the cost if replacing windows and the stolen items if possible. Anyone who has information about the burglary in Thetford are being requested to reach out to the police at 101 and use reference number: 36/90961/21.