“Heart-warming response” as community pulls together to replace cash stolen from charity boxes

The callous theft of two Nightingale House Hospice charity boxes from a Wrexham pub has led to
a heart-warming response from customers and staff to replace the stolen money.

It is estimated that hundreds of pounds for the Wrexham-based hospice. were taken by thieves during a break-in at the Red Lion in Marford last month.

However in a bid to replace the stolen funds, Red Lion manager Stacy Holmes decided to host a raffle in aid of Nightingale House.

Many prizes were quickly donated and when local rock and blues cover band, Tobacco Road offered to provide entertainment, what started out as a small raffle turned into a major fundraising evening.

Stacy said that she and the staff at the Red Lion have been “humbled by the magnificent support” from the public.

She said: “A few weeks ago, we were broken into during the early hours of the morning and the thieves took bottles of high end alcohol and all money that they could find including the two full Nightingale House tins.

“We were all so upset as there was Christmas quiz and raffle money in them. We think there would have been between £300 and £400.

“When we announced we would like to hold a raffle to make up the stolen money the response was fantastic with many prizes donated from customers, local people and businesses. This has now evolved into a major fund raising evening.

“We are humbled by such magnificent support and hope we can now double the amount of money for the Hospice that was stolen by the thieves.”

Hospice Area Fundraiser Sam Eastwood added: “Fortunately, collection tins are rarely stolen and we are really upset that on this occasion donations of over £300 given by our generous supporters will not be received by the Hospice.

“This would have paid, for example, for 12 weeks of physiotherapy for one of our patients.

“However, we are so happy that the Red Lion staff and customers have decided to hold a fundraiser to replace the stolen money.

“It has been a fantastic response. We rely so much on our community to help us care for local families, and we are so grateful to everyone involved. We wish the event every success.”  

The event will take place at the Red Lion in Marford at 8pm on Good Friday, 30 March. Entry is free and raffle tickets will cost £2 a strip.