Thieves have broken into a hall in South Norwood which provides lunches for the elderly and adults with learning difficulties, and stolen around £500-worth of food and equipment, much of it paid for through donations raised by the community group’s volunteers.
“Absolutely devastating and disappointing,” is the description of her feelings after the break-in from Karen Jewitt, the local councillor who manages the South Norwood and Woodside Community Association.
Jewitt is now running an appeal for cash donations so that the lost food can be made good, and to fund an outing for the Association’s regulars.
“Someone decided their need was greater than ours, broke into our building and stole the contents of our freezers and fridge,” Jewitt said. “Sainsburys had just delivered our large order a few days before.” That delivery included about £400-worth of food.
“Absolutely devastating and disappointing for all that someone could do this to our people. I would like to raise enough to replenish our freezers, replace the kitchen order and take our folks out for the day to show them there is good people out there who are caring and do not condone this behaviour.
“Our Lunch and Social Club for older people and adults with learning difficulties is an essential part of the community we live in. For some of our older people especially we are the only contact they will have outside the home and the only proper home-cooked meal they will have in the week. We raise funds to provide entertainment, trips to the seaside and various places of interest.”
If you can spare a modest donation to make good the food and kitchen equipment stolen in the break-in, then click here. The appeal had already raised £120 in just two hours, towards a target of £750.
- Still Croydon’s only independent news source, and based in the heart of the borough: 1.97 million page views 2013-2015
- Inside Croydon: Named among best regional media campaigns, 2014
- If you have a news story about life in or around Croydon, a residents’ or business association or local event to publicise, please email us with full details at inside.croydon@btinternet.com
I am truly overwhelmed by the kindness of friends and strangers towards our Lunch Club. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. We have reached our target and a bit more but I have been asked by donators to keep it up a bit longer so we can take the Learning Disability group to Brighton for Fish and Chips!