Compton Hospice raids: Donations coming in after £20k raid
Donations have begun coming in to Compton Hospice after it was left with a £20,000 repair bill by callous thieves stripping lead from its roof and windows.
Two people raided the Wolverhampton charity's Cedars site last week, in the early hours of Monday morning and again on Wednesday morning, tearing lead from the building and stealing catalytic converters from vans.
But dozens of people have now donated money to help with the repairs, with many sharing stories of their personal connections to the hospice and the support it offers.
Cannock band The Shanklins and Alex Ohm, previously with Wolverhampton band The Lines, have announced a fundraising gig for the hospice, which is set to take place on October 23 at the Newhampton Arts Centre.
Tickets will be £5, with all money raised to go to the hospice, and more information will be available in coming days.
CCTV footage shows two people in dark hoodies rolling skip bins over to reach the roof, and tearing at the lead as roof tiles smash to the ground. The pair cut the cables to another CCTV camera.
It costs more than £6 million a year to run the hospice.
Spokeswoman Grace Ruston said: "Every year it gets harder and harder to raise funds. This is a significant amount of money that could have gone towards providing all important care for patients with terminal illnesses, and instead we are having to raise funds to clear up the mess left my these callous thieves. It is truly heart-breaking."
West Midlands Police are examing the footage and asked anyone with information to contact them on 101.
Those interested in making a donation to support Compton Hospice cover the cost of repairs can do so via www.compton-hospice.org.uk/fundraising/making-a-donation
