Bristol children’s charity’s donations stolen from money spinner

Donations from Bristol children’s charity Jessie May’s money spinner have been stolen from inside a shopping centre.

The theft took place yesterday morning (January 9th) at around 7.45am in Clifton Down Shopping Centre in Bristol. The money spinner, which was placed inside the shopping centre in July last year (2018), had been secured by a metal chain to the wall.

Julian Withers, Head of Fundraising and Communications at Jessie May, said: “Some very sad news to share today. Unfortunately, the Jessie May Money Spinner in Clifton Down Shopping Centre was broken in to yesterday morning. All the donations inside have been stolen.

“We are devastated that the money generously donated by visitors to the shopping centre has been deprived of our charity, and ultimately the families caring for a terminally ill child, who need our nurses’ support.

“Sadly, it is not known exactly how much money has been stolen from the Money Spinner, but we can estimate this could be several hundreds of pounds, which is now lost. The Money Spinner had been collecting donations to our charity for several months, and was secured by a metal chain to the wall.

“We were over the moon to place the Money Spinner in the shopping centre in July last year, after being chosen at the centre’s Charity of the Year. Over the recent Christmas period, we had lots of local choirs and bands perform for us in the centre to raise money for Jessie May, as well as volunteers who gave up their time to wrap Christmas presents for shoppers to boost our funds.

“A lot of the money raised through these fantastic fundraising efforts was donated in to the Money Spinner so we are hugely apologetic to everyone who supported us over the festive period, and kindly donated, as their money has not reached us.”

CCTV of the theft is now being looked at by police and Jessie May is fully assisting the police investigation. If you have any information about this incident, which took place at around 7.45am on Wednesday 9th January 2019, please get in touch with the police on 101 (non urgent line) and quote the crime reference number: 5219005543.

Julian added: “We would like to thank the police and Clifton Down Shopping Centre for all their support, and all the general public who help our nurses help local families.”