CASH destined to help recovering addicts and their families has been stolen from the Small Changes shop in Solihull.
But the community’s heartwarming response in rallying round to show support has blown away staff.
The shop is now back up and running in time for Christmas.
Thieves smashed through the front door of the Lyndon Road shop on October 31 before escaping with the charity’s coffers raised through sales of goods donated by kind-hearted locals.
Thieves stole the till, cash in a collection box and a few items which had been donated by residents.
The shop, which raises money to help those recovering from drug abuse and their families, opened three years ago and has been broken into twice before in 2016.
The volunteers and staff at the shop had just stared to introduce their Christmas lines and were forced to throw away some items including teddy bears as they were worried about fragments of glass being caught in the fur.
After posting about the incident on social media the charity shop has been inundated with offers of help not only from its band of volunteers but also residents.
Speaking to The Observer Karen Davenport, the retail manager, said she and the team is touched at how everyone has come together to show support.
She added: “People have been amazing once again, and the support from everybody has been incredible. We have been blown away by it all, and the amount of empathy we have had from people bringing in more donations.
“People bring clothes in washed and ironed all ready to go straight on the shop floor ready to sell, and often they will have a look around and may see something they need so it’s a win-win for us with these new donations.
“With support from our volunteers and community we have been able to move forward, we will just carry on as usual.”
Just two days after the incident, tradesman Reiss O’Boyle was already hard at work fixing the bottom pane of glass of the front door where it is believed the intruders forced entry.
Just over a week and a half later, Matt Purssell gave up his Sunday to install a new alarm and CCTV system.
Karen and the team have paid for a new till using money donated to them on the Go Fund Me website.
Karen said she never wanted to put shutters up on the shop as she wanted it to be part of the community but she is considering using money donated to go towards extra security.
For more or to donate visit www.gofundme.com/small-changes-charity-shop
