A KIND-hearted Woodbridge couple who had a collection box for a children's hospice stolen from outside their home today thanked the Co-op for donating £200.

A KIND-hearted Woodbridge couple who had a collection box for a children's hospice stolen from outside their home today thanked the Co-op for donating £200.

Michael and Sheila Jarrold create a spectacular Christmas light display every year in aid of a good cause.

But on Boxing day, a heartless thief or thieves ripped the box from the wall making off with around £40.

The couple had hoped to beat last year's total of £700 and were concerned the theft would make a large dent in their bid.

However, the Co-op has stepped into the breach and donated £200 - bumping the overall total to a whopping £800, all of which will go the East Anglian Children's Hospice.

Mr Jarrold, of Bridgewood Road, said: “It was very kind of them to donate the money and it has meant we beat last year's total by £100.

“We're both most appreciative of the Co-op's decision to come forward.”

Mr Jarrold said the lights would be back up next year, again in aid of the hospice.

He also said the couple had received a number of anonymous letters containing donations after the story of the theft hit the headlines in The Evening Star.

He continued: “People have been putting money in envelopes with messages saying 'keep up the good work' and a lady who sits near us at the football gave us an envelope with some money in.”

Miriam Harrup from the Co-op said: “We are always keen to support the hospice so when we saw the story in the Star, we immediately wanted to donate a sum of money to make up for what was lost.”

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