Family describe thief as 'scum' after charity tin is stolen

Open letter to the thief who stole the charity tin with a photo of baby Nathan James Cooper on

Jan Cooper and her family have branded a thief who stole a charity tin as “scum”.

The tin was left near to the till of the Premier Shop on Bury Road, Rochdale, as a way for Jan to raise funds for the Lullaby Trust - a charity close to her heart.

She said: “It feels like they have stolen from me personally. The tin had a picture of my grandson on it who died at seven weeks old, so it feels like they have taken something from me.”

It is believed that the tin was stolen sometime between Saturday 3 October and Friday 9 October 2015.

Jan started raising money for the Lullaby Trust following the death of her grandson and has been raising money for them for almost 10 years. The Lullaby Trust provides specialist support for bereaved families, promotes expert advice on safer baby sleep and raises awareness on sudden infant death.

Jan said: “They are a great charity because they do a lot for families.”

Following the theft, Jan posted her feelings online and has since received an “overwhelming response” from the public.

“This all started off as a rant but the response I have had has been overwhelming. People have said that they are going to give me some money to start the fundraising again and the shop proprietor has also said that he will help,” said Jan.

In an open letter to the thief, the family said: “My mother has been collecting for this charity since my son passed away ten years ago. It’s a way of dealing with her a loss so great that this letter will do no justice.

“It raises much needed funds to help other families that have suffered as well as funding research to try and stop this happening again. Everyday my mum works at that shop and sees her grandsons face looking back at her and she can rest knowing she is doing her bit to help others.

“What has it achieved to you to sneak off with it and crack it open like a child with a full piggy bank. Shame on you.”

The police have been informed.