Two people who saw a story on SalfordOnline.com about the theft of a charity collection have replaced the stolen cash out of their own pocket.
Police were called to Salford precinct at 11.25am on Tuesday 13 October after receiving reports that an elderly man had been robbed of a charity box containing roughly £70.
While the charity worker, who is in his 60s and has a walking stick, looked in a shop window, the two suspects approached the collecting table and ran off with the bucket in the direction of Tesco Express, on Pendleton Way.
Two young teenagers are thought to be behind the theft from the Andrew Allen Veterans Support trust.
The not-for-profit organisation was set up in honour of Northern Irish Ranger Andy Allen.
Andy, 19 at the time, was on a tour of Afghanistan in 2008 when a roadside bomb exploded underneath him, blinding him and causing the loss of his right leg.
The Veterans Trust fundraises in England for the charity, contracting volunteers in shopping centres and malls around the country.
Veterans Trust director Michael Figg told SalfordOnline this week the theft was “absolutely disgusting”.
The act prompted outrage from decent Salfordians across the city.
Read: Young thugs steal charity collection bucket on Salford Precinct
But one reader, who asked only to be named as Chris, offered £50 to the veterans charity after seeing Tuesday’s story on SalfordOnline.com.
He said: “I just liked the thought that I could help. The more you give out to life, the more you get back.”
A second donator, Carla Hutchison, also came forward to top up the replacement cash with £20 of her own.
She told us: “I saw the news on SalfordOnline and that Chris had made the kind offer to replace the stolen money.
“I thought he shouldn’t have to do that himself so offered to pay a part.
“It’s the least we could do.
“Maybe it will show the veterans who were collecting that some people are grateful for everything they gave.”
Main image by Chelsea Fisher, SalfordOnline.com volunteer Social Media Manager
