£3k raised to help day centre hit by burglars

Staff at the Age Concern Day Centre, in Halesowen, say they have been overwhelmed by the support of campaigners following raids.

The branch of Stourbridge and Halesowen Age Concern managed to raise around £3,000 from a fundraising event last month.

A range of activities took place at the event on June 21 which supported the centre.

It comes just nine months after the centre, in Green Lane, was targeted twice in a week by thieves.

Around £9,000 of damage was caused at the centre which prompted a huge response from the public.

Yobs urinated on food stored for pensioners' meals during one attack, while in the later raid they managed to force their way on to the centre's minibus to turn on the radio, which drained the battery and forced it off the road.

Centre chairman and ward councillor Ken Turner said Age Concern members had been touched by the volume of support.

"We are so pleased and it is great to see the community coming together to help us," he said.

"It has been a difficult few months but we have got through it.

"I'm really chuffed and inspired by the way the community has rallied around us.

"It was a good event and everyone enjoyed it."

The centre is now back on its feet with tightened security measures now in place to guard against future break-ins.

Members of the public and business owners pledged support after the attack and they were inundated with donations.

Businessman Tony Billingham, who owns three care homes in the Halesowen area, offered £250 of his own money to the centre.

Rotary Club members from Halesowen and Rowley Regis also agreed to donate £500 to help the centre.

Locksmith Mike O'Sulevan also offered his services for free to install stronger bolts on doors to keep intruders out.

Others, including a local firefighter, have also agreed to spend time redecorating after offices were smashed up.

The centre hosts daily sessions for visitors including hot meals and social events.

It is linked with the Age Concern Centre, off Stourbridge Ring Road, where some events had to be accommodated in the aftermath of last year's break-ins.

Mr Turner said: "We are looking forward to the year ahead with optimism."