Presents stolen from Great Ormond Street Hospital replaced

 
'Beyond belief': Children's Christmas presents have been stolen from Great Ormond Street
Mark Blunden @_MarkBlunden19 December 2012
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Christmas presents for children in intensive care that were stolen from Great Ormond Street Hospital have been replaced after an “overwhelming” public response.

Police said up to 20 wrapped presents were taken over the weekend from gift sacks.

The presents were bought with money from the Bloomsbury hospital’s charity fund and included portable DVD players, DVDs, Nintendo DS games consoles, games and toys.

Reports of the theft from a private area of the hospital led to offers to replace them from several high street retailers, Celtic football club and Lord Sugar.

Today, a Great Ormond Street Hospital spokesman said: “We have been overwhelmed by generous offers from individuals and companies to replace the missing items. These items have now been replaced by a long-term supporter. Thank you to everyone who has contacted us for their concern and kindness.”

The hospital, which celebrated its 160th anniversary this year, would not reveal the identity of the benefactor.

Speaking on radio station LBC 97.3 yesterday, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe called the thefts “pretty disgusting”.

“You can’t imagine anything worse — children who are very ill, and at Christmas somebody’s taken the time to buy them something to cheer them up and somebody’s stolen them.”

Camden police are investigating the theft and checking CCTV.

Anyone with information should call police on 101 and ask for the CID office at Holborn, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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