A WEYHILL mother has been left ‘disgusted’ after charity auction items belonging to her late seven-year-old daughter were reported as stolen.
Laura Sharpe is appealing for more information on the goods that were originally going to raise money on behalf of her daughter Faith.
As reported by The Advertiser, Faith was diagnosed with a diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) in the summer of 2015 and was given an original prognosis of having just one year to live.
Having exceeded all medical expectations, she lost her life on 27 September last year, just seven weeks before her brother Finley was born on 15 November.
Laura had intended to sell the items to fund a memorial bench for Faith’s former primary school, which is where her siblings attend.
Mrs Sharpe said: “It was the fact it was Faith’s, it was her stuff, I’m fuming. I’m disgusted, it’s not on, they’ve stolen off a child who’s dead. My family are disgusted by it.”
The 30-year-old had been about to pay for the bench herself before being reminded of the goods by her husband, Nathan.
A previous auction had failed to sell the items, including vouchers, framed pictures and power tools with a combined value of £2,600.
After the auction, Mrs Sharpe said the Wolversdene Club offered to look after them while the family focused on Faith. After searching the building, the club informed her the items were no longer there. She is now hoping her appeal will jog somebody’s memory.
Mrs Sharpe said: “It’s just the fact it was Faith’s stuff. I don’t need to be fighting another battle for her. It’s just upset me, she’s been gone five months.
“You could say ‘it’s your fault for leaving it there’, but we had every good faith it was being kept secure.”
Police confirmed a number of items donated to charity stored at the Dene Road establishment between 2015 and last month had been reported as stolen.
Anyone with any information, or knows who is responsible for the thefts, is urged to contact police on 101, quoting the reference 44180052131.
A club spokesperson said: “The Wolversdene Club is very disappointed by the actions of the family in contacting the press.
“We understand the family say that about two years ago they left some items in a catering cupboard which are no longer there.
“The club always makes it clear that any items left on the premises are at the owner’s risk which is the normal position and there are signs to that effect.
“We contacted the club’s insurers in the hope that they might feel able to make an ex gratia payment but we understand the insurers say that based on the facts they do not think it is justified.”
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