Derian House Children’s Hospice receives donations totalling £10,000 after break-in at charity shop

Locals raise thousands to fix hospice shop roof smashed in by raiders during coronavirus lockdown burglary

  • Derian House Children’s Hospice shop in Chorley, Lancs, was raided by burglars
  • The raiders, who broke in through the roof, caused around £1,000 of damage
  • Tradespeople made the repairs for free, while £10,000 was sent in donations
  • The charity has now beefed up security at its three stores with the extra money 
  • Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19

A hospice charity shop targeted by burglars who broke in by tearing a hole in the building’s roof has been given donations of more than £10,000 – thanks in part to generous MailOnline readers.

Raiders targeted a charity shop belonging to Derian House Children’s Hospice in Chorley, Lancashire, by smashing through the ceiling while the shop was closed during the coronarivus lockdown.

Though nothing was stolen, more than £1,000 of damage was caused to the building. 

Following news of the raid, a fundraiser was launched in a bid to cover the costs of the repairs.

But after the charity’s tough break was picked up by media outlets, including MailOnline, the fundraiser ended up more than double the original £1,000 target, while other donations pushed the total to more than £10,000.

The burglars targeted the Derian House Children’s Hospice store in Chorley, Lancashire, by tearing through the shop’s roof

Derian House Children’s Hospice cares for more than 400 seriously ill children and young people from across the North West. Pictured: The hospice's shop in Chorley which was targeted by burglars

Derian House Children’s Hospice cares for more than 400 seriously ill children and young people from across the North West. Pictured: The hospice’s shop in Chorley which was targeted by burglars

The charity was also given another boost when generous tradespeople agreed to repair the damage for free.

Now charity bosses have pledged to spend the £10,000 on new security measures across the hospice’s whole network of charity shops in Leyland, Horwich and Adlington.

They will also be able to pay the wage of two hospice nurses every day for the month of May. 

David Robinson, Chief Executive of Derian House Children’s Hospice, said: ‘We have been completely overwhelmed by the outpouring of generosity shown to us.

‘Yet again our supporters have shown us that they are there when we really need them and for that we are tremendously grateful.

‘Not only has the damage been repaired for free, but the support of our community will allow us to make all of our shops safe and secure so that hopefully this will not happen again.

‘On top of this gift of peace of mind, we believe there will be enough left over to pay for two nurses to care for our children and young people for the whole month of May.

‘It’s simply amazing that something so good could come from such a horrible situation.’

Lancashire Police launched an investigation following the raid which took place at the hospice’s charity shop on Chancery Road, Chorley, between Thursday, April 9 and Thursday, April 16.  

Lancashire Police, who are investigating, say that the burglars managed to gain entry to the stockroom through the ceiling, but that no high value items were stolen. Pictured: The hole in the ceiling left by the burglars

Lancashire Police, who are investigating, say that the burglars managed to gain entry to the stockroom through the ceiling, but that no high value items were stolen. Pictured: The hole in the ceiling left by the burglars

Police say that although no high value items were taken, substantial damage was caused to the roof.

Officers say thieves removed slates from the shop roof and gained entry to the stockroom through the ceiling.  

What is Derian House Children’s Hospice? 

Derian House Children’s Hospice cares for more than 400 seriously ill children and young people from across the North West.

The hospice itself is based in Chorley, Lancashire, near to Chorley and South Ribble Hospital.  

The charity says it ‘gives families the chance to make the most of every moment they have together’.

The charity relies on the public for more than 90 per cent of its funding, with running costs of around £4million a year.

To support the costs, the charity has three shops, which are based in Chorley, Layland and Horwich. 

Source: Derian House Children’s Hospice

Sgt Paul Harrison from Chorley Police, said: ‘To think that someone would take advantage of the current COVID-19 lockdown to target a charity shop, particularly one that raises funds for poorly or dying children, is utterly disgusting.

‘Thankfully the would-be thieves didn’t get anything that was worth very much as cash and valuables had been removed from the shop.’

No-one has been arrested in connection with the burglary.

Police are asking anyone with information to call 101 quoting incident reference 666 of April 16.

Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.   

Derian House Children’s Hospice looks after more than 400 children and young people from across the North West, offering respite and end-of-life care.

It costs £4.8m every year to run services at Derian House, with the charity having to raise 90p in every £1.