Smash & Grab

Many of you, I am sure will remember reading about the break-in at St Clare Hospice back in February of this year. Thieves smashed a window in a downstairs office and stole a safe containing money, donations and deceased patients personal property. The financial implications of this break-in were huge, the security system would need upgrading and all the locks would be changed, but the safety and welfare of the patients and Hospice staff is paramount. The Hospice supporters once again came up trumps with donations totalling over £500 sent in. The Hospice also received fantastic support from the local press, for which we are very grateful. Whether it was through reading one of these articles or maybe it was a 'guilt thing' we are not sure, but three days after the theft, the safe was returned! It was placed just within the Hospice grounds, they had obviously tried to break into it but only with partial success. Fortunately patients property were among the items still within the safe. Sadly £150 that had been collected by the Day Hospice patients towards their social events was missing, along with £10 petty cash and £80 that our nursing staff collected towards the purchase of their favourite speciality teas and coffee and also staff birthday treats.

The Hospice is grateful to A Aaran Glass, Harlow, who very kindly attended our urgent request. Firstly to board up the window and make it safe, then back the next day to fit the new piece of glass that they also supplied. All this was without cost to the Hospice. This I must say does restore your faith in human nature.

Teresa Strange - Fundraising Organiser M M
Smash ‘n’ Grab