Asda step in to help Ashington war veterans' fund

Posted by The Journal on Nov 26, 09 01:28 PM in News

Laura Wiszniewski War veterans whose festive fund was plundered by thieves will not miss out on their Christmas cheer after a supermarket stepped in to save the day.

Members of the Royal British Legion club in Ashington were left in tears when they learned that their Poppy Appeal tins and a charity box containing cash donated to give elderly veterans help over Christmas had been stolen.

For the last 20 years, club members had raised the money to give £20 Asda vouchers to elderly ex-servicemen to treat themselves to something special, but this year they feared the tradition would have to be broken.

But now supermarket chiefs, moved by the heartache of the members, have decided to foot the bill themselves and have promised to give £20 gift cards to the veterans.

Club stewardess Carol Thompson fought back the tears when she heard the store's generous offer. She said: "I am over the moon. When I told the members the money had all been stolen, I had never seen so many people cry.

"People felt cheated and devastated. We lost money from the till too, but it was stealing the charity money that really got to people.

"The veterans really love getting their vouchers. Most of them don't have much money and it means they can get a turkey or something nice for Christmas.

"It is just our small way of saying thanks for all they did during the war."

The crooks climbed into the club by removing tiles from the roof sometime between midnight on Sunday and 9.30am on Monday.

They trashed the bar, a meeting place for scores of ex-servicemen in the town, and helped themselves to all the cash on the premises.

After buying the vouchers any money left was to be put towards a Christmas party - but now this looks under threat too.

Carol said: "I am sure everyone will rally round and we will still try to have a party, but I don't know where the money will come from.

"The people who did this must have no conscience at all. Robbing money that people have donated is just sick."

Duty manager of the new ASDA Ashington store Laura Wiszniewski said: "We were so sorry to hear about the Legion's Christmas fund being stolen and we are more than happy to provide £20 gift cards for each of the pensioners who were to receive them.

"The work the Ashington branch of the British Legion does is just fantastic and so we had no hesitation in supporting them at this difficult time for them."

Police have arrested a 32-year-old local man in connection with the theft.

He has been released on police bail pending further inquiries.

Anyone with information about the break-in is asked to call police on 03456 043 043 ext 69191 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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