Fundraising day raises over £300 after Heath and Reach Co-op charity box stolen

Kind-hearted firefighters and staff at the Heath and Reach Co-op teamed up to organise a fundraising day after the store’s charity collection box was stolen.
By Jo Gravett
Published 24th Aug 2020, 09:03 BST
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The shop staff were left dismayed recently when they found that customers’ kind donations for the Fire Fighters Charity had been taken, leaving the cause without a penny.

Not to be defeated, Beverley Roff and colleagues contacted Woburn Community Fire Station to see if the team could help, and the fire fighters brought along an engine for the day on August 4.

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Crew commander Josh Matthews said: “We do a lot for the Fire Fighters Charity. It’s one of the ones where we see the benefits - we all know someone who’s had to use the charity. But it’s been haemorrhaging money cos of Covid.

Clockwise from top left; the firefighters and the community; the delicious cakes; the stall; local sisters Illana , Preeya, and Zarina.Clockwise from top left; the firefighters and the community; the delicious cakes; the stall; local sisters Illana , Preeya, and Zarina.
Clockwise from top left; the firefighters and the community; the delicious cakes; the stall; local sisters Illana , Preeya, and Zarina.

“The Co-op got in touch with us and explained what happened. About £20-30 was stolen. They were devastated and we were upset as well.

“They decided that they wanted to make up for it, so we went to support them and took the fire engine.

“They had put some hard graft into the cake sale and everyone we spoke to was chuffed that they could make up for what was stolen.”

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The fundraising day raised over £330 and Josh gave a special thank you to Jane Lightfoot, cook at Dunstable Fire Station, who helped to make delicious cakes for the sale.

Josh Hanley, Co-op team manager, said: “Co-op is committed to connecting communities and making a difference locally. We would like to thank everyone who helped to raise such a fabulous sum for the Fire Fighters Charity, helping to recognise the essential role that fire fighters play in the community. They really are local heroes.”

Lyndsey Barber, Co-op store manager, added: “So far we have raised over £330 - with additional donations being made - which is amazing.

“I would like to say a huge thank you to our local community for coming together and for supporting us. The money raised will go to the Fire Fighters Charity - people who put their lives on the line to support communities.”

>You can follow Woburn Community Fire Station by giving them a ‘like’ on Facebook.