A WOMAN left "heartbroken" by the theft of items in a charity shop Christmas window display has been touched by an act of kindness in response to it.
On Monday afternoon (November 27), a model Santa and sleigh were stolen from the Cancer Research UK shop in Shotton.
They were part of a window display that had been created by dedicated shop volunteer, June McAnoy.
"I was utterly heartbroken," she said. "I was honestly in tears watching the CCTV footage of it happen. We are all older people who volunteer in the shop and we were so upset and hurt about how someone could steep so low as to steal something from a display at a charity shop.
"As someone who has had cancer, to see someone steal from a Cancer Research shop is awful. Earlier this year, a charity box containing £200 of money we'd raised through fundraising activities was also stolen. It's soul-destroying."
After June and others posted about it on Facebook, a kind gentleman has offered to handcraft a replacement sleigh.
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June, who had three life-saving operations to treat her breast cancer, said: "I'm truly overwhelmed by this person's act of kindness. I've also had messages from people offering to replace the Santa. It just shows that there are so many kind and supportive people in the community.
"The response has been amazing, we've had so much support. I can't thank everyone enough. It really epitomises the Christmas spirit and it's so uplifting to see after what happened."
Lynne Chick, a close friend of June's, said: "I'm absolutely overwhelmed at the kindest of our community after such an awful event.
"It was lovely to hear June's excitement this morning when I informed her someone had come forward to handcraft and donate a sledge to replace the stolen one, she had been in tears the night before.
"I'd like to say thank you to everyone for showing my lovely friend June such support."
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