Hospice shop heartbreak

Willow Wood Hospice has thanked the community for rallying round following a break-in at their Waterloo charity shop in Ashton.

Staff were heartbroken when they arrived last Thursday morning to discover a front door window smashed and that the shop on Oldham Road had been broken into.

Sharon Hodgkiess, retail operations manager, said: “We were devastated to see what had happened overnight, but the support from our community has been heart-warming.

“I’d like to thank Greater Manchester Police for their prompt visit to advise on and assess the situation."

She added: “Our thanks also to Jason from Dukinfield-based Keyfax, who not only came out to fix the safe despite already having a packed diary, but did so free of charge, and to Steve from Tameside Glass for making the window safe by removing the broken glass and boarding it up until he could fit the new panel, and for giving us a special, reduced price.  

“Thanks as well to City Aluminium Shopfronts NW Ltd who came straight round to fix the front door on Friday when we realised that had also been damaged.

“Kellie, the shop manager, and her team of volunteers worked so hard to enable the shop to reopen later on the same day, they did a fantastic job.  

“Finally, I’d like to thank everyone who has sent us a message of support. It means so much to us to know how much our community cares.”