‘Overwhelming’ community generosity ensures Beaumond House will still get funds after charity box stolen during burglary at Dry Clean Plus, Newark

The community has rallied around to replace charity funds that were stolen during a break-in.

Antony Pollard’s business Dry Clean Plus, on Bargate, suffered a “heartless” break-in last month which saw intruders ransack the premises and make off with £183 in charity donations as well as a bank card.

Now, the Newark business owner said the community support has been “overwhelming”, as customers and other members of the public have helped to replace the stolen funds.

Antony said: “It’s been lovely, we’ve had customers in from all over — even from as far as Lincoln and North Hykeham — they’ve given a fiver here an a tenner there and asked if we’re doing okay.”

The stolen charity pot was in aid of Beaumond House — a cause close to Antony’s heart as the hospice cared for his own father — and he had promised he would pay out of his own pocket to ensure the charity received the funds.

However, he has instead seen others dig generously into their pockets to help out.

“A lady even came in on her mobility scooter, she’d gone to all the effort to get all her hat and gloves on and come along and give £10,” Antony added.

“She said ‘I don’t use you a lot but I want to give you this’, and I told her she didn’t need to and to keep it for Christmas — but she insisted, she wanted it to go to Beaumond House.

“The Civil War Centre also donated £50, it’s just incredible. We clean their Civil War outfits for them.

“People have just been coming by and saying how sorry they are about it, and making donations. It’s just overwhelming really.”

Matt Colbourne, head of fundraising and communications at Beaumond House, said: “We were saddened to hear about what had happened to Antony and his shop, as a big supporter of the hospice.

“We’re really grateful for the generosity of the community continuing to support Antony and the hospice, and really doing what they do best and coming together at this time.”

While no-one has yet been arrested regarding the break-in itself, Michael Richens, 42, of Queens Court, Newark was charged and pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation by using the bank card stolen from the dry cleaners to buy items.

He is due to be sentenced at Mansfield Magistrates’ Court on January 16, for both the fraud and two commercial burglaries in Lombard Street.

Antony added: “Those involved have been arrested, it’s just the minority and they won’t win.

“We’ve got such lovely customers and people checking in on us.”