Jen Whitehurst sets up fund to help save Christmas for single mum and her two sons after burglary

Heywood resident Jen Whitehurst has set up a collection page for neighbour Hartford Alienor Upton and her two sons after hundreds of pounds’ worth of Christmas gifts were stolen in broad daylight from their family home on Monday 5 December, during the afternoon.

Miss Upton returned from the hospital with her two sons (aged three and five) on Monday evening to find that burglars had entered the house by smashing a window and stolen all their Christmas gifts as well as many other valuable items.

She said: "We’re devastated. It’s the second time it has happened this month, but this time they have taken absolutely everything. They took an Apple Macbook Air, two Ipads, a PS4 and two Nintendo DSs, as well as some jewellery and other valuable ornaments." 

She added that ‘support from neighbours has been absolutely amazing, they have really been there for us’.

Upon hearing of Miss Upton’s loss, neighbour Mrs Whitehurst set up a page with the aim of raising £200 through donations from the public.

Speaking to Rochdale Online Mrs Whitehurst said: "It’s just awful. When I heard what had happened I was heartbroken, so I thought if everyone chips in we can at least go some way towards easing the family’s loss.

"There have been over fifty burglaries in the area in the last month which means many households have been affected, but Hartford’s situation is particularly bad as the burglars took literally all her Christmas gifts. That’s why the first £200 raised will go to her and the boys.

"We will be leaving the collection page open all month so that any donations exceeding the initial target will go towards helping other households in the area which have been affected by the recent burglaries. We’re also setting up a collection point for non-monetary gifts where people will be able to drop off any other gifts they think might help cheer people up this Christmas."

Donations can be made at:

https://www.gofundme.com/help-hartford-and-her-boys-for-xmas

Non-monetary donations can be arranged by emailing Jen Whitehurst: jenna_masonlee@yahoo.co.uk