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‘No child should be left without on Christmas Day’

Big-hearted charity heroes have stepped in to save the day after thieves stole gifts meant for less fortunate children in Sunderland this Christmas.

Bea's 500 Crew member Danielle Bolden was pictured with some of the items which were bought to replace the stolen gifts at the Southwick Community Project. The empty gift box can be seen on the left of the photo. | ugc

placeholder image — Bea's 500 Crew member Danielle Bolden was pictured with some of the items which were bought to replace the stolen gifts at the Southwick Community Project. The empty gift box can be seen on the left of the photo. | ugc

The fantastic Bea’s 500 Crew cause came up with two trolley loads of goodies after hearing of the heart-breaking theft reported by the Salvation Army in Southwick earlier this week.

Within days of the crime, replacements had been bought including toys, sweets, games, and toiletries. They all came from a cause called Bea’s 500 Crew which was set up in the name of Beatrix Archbold, the little 5-year-old who had a heart transplant when she was just 15 months old.

Bea’s mum Cheryl Archbold, from Roker, set up Bea’s 500 Crew which now has 400 members. They pay £1 a week into a pot and the money is used to help other people in need.

Cheryl set up the group because she wanted to repay the kindness which was showed to her when Beatrix was seriously ill in hospital, awaiting a heart transplant.

Cheryl said: “ When I saw that the boxes had been left empty, I knew straight away that I wanted Bea’s 500 crew to help out. No child should be left without on Christmas Day and it has meant a lot that our little group has been able to make a difference.”

Bea’s 500 member Danielle Bolden went out and shopped to replace the missing items for the Southwick cause. She filled two trollies with goods.

Cheryl Archbold who launched the Bea's 500 Crew as a 'pay it forward' group to help others. | se

Police have been informed of the theft and Graham Wharton, Community Manager at The Salvation Army’s Austin House Family Centre, said: “We were saddened to see that a couple of presents had been taken from the toy donation box in our community centre.”

Austin House officials say items taken included a soft toy and a game.

Thieves took them from a Salvation Army donation box in the Southwick area.

The box carried a note on it saying ‘any gift no matter how large or small is a massive help to our appeal. This is one way we can work together to bring hope to struggling families.’

The almost empty box which was meant to be a collection point for gifts in Southwick. | other 3rd party

Graham added: “Our annual Present Appeal is running until December 14 this year across Sunderland, ensuring no child goes without a present to open on Christmas morning. The gifts provided by Bea’s 500 Crew will go a long way to ensuring we can meet the need this year and we are very grateful.

“A lot of people are struggling at the moment and I urge anyone worried about being unable to afford a gift to get in touch so that we can help. Donations can be made at Austin House or the donation centre at Hylton Retail Park.”

To find out more about Bea’s 500 Crew, visit https://www.facebook.com/BeatrixHeart22

Donations to the Salvation Army appeal can be dropped off at Austin House in Shakespeare Street, Southwick, and The Salvation Army Donation Centre in Hylton Retail Park until December 14. They are in particular need of gifts for teenagers.

You can also make a donation via https://www.amazon.co.uk/registries/gl/guest-view/GO3GDF11FI78 or https://www.justgiving.com/page/austin-house-family-centre-3?utm_medium=FA&utm_source=EM