Thousands donated to Wolverhampton nursery ransacked by thieves
Thousands of pounds have been donated to a Wolverhampton nursery left devastated by a series of break-ins.
Thieves smashed their way through Eastfield Nursery School last weekend, breaking doors and windows and stealing five new iPads and the children's £900 Children in Need fundraising money.
But staff at the Griffin Street school have since been overwhelmed by an incredible community response.
Around £3,000 has been donated in cash alone, with many more pledges likely to take the figure hundreds if not thousands of pounds higher.
Nearby residents, former pupils and businesses have flooded the nursery with donations.
One elderly couple took in £150 in coins, which the children counted as part of a lesson, with many other people turning up to offer cash and cheques.
Gifts, including a signed Wolves shirt, have also been donated to help raise more money.
Headteacher Emma Smith said staff had been in tears following the incredible generosity shown.
"The staff are absolutely overwhelmed by the response and the level of community spirit," she said. "As well as donations we have also had lots of messages of support. More pledges have been made - it has really tugged at people's heartstrings and we now have more money than we started with.
"Some of those donating have specified that the money go to Children in Need while others want it spent here to help with the distress the whole ordeal has caused the children.
"It has been incredible. The staff have been in tears."
Ms Smith was keen to point out that none of the money is being kept on the school site, with the school not even having a safe anymore as it was stolen.
One of those to donate was consultant engineer Dr Alexander Wortley, from Penn, who called the school to pledge £900 to directly replace the stolen Children in Need money.
He said: "The children had made such an effort to make a contribution to help those less fortunate than themselves so I am happy to help out in any way I can.
"The thieves have no thought for humanity.
"It's important to maintain a positive attitude to life and be kind to everyone."
The school was closed for two days this week after the break-in.
Police are now examining CCTV which shows a group of three people striking on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.
Anyone with information can call the police on 101.
