Kind hearts replace garden furniture stolen from Oldham care home

A kind-hearted mother and daughter have spearheaded a community campaign to replace garden furniture stolen from an Oldham nursing home over two days.

There was a wave of anger after callous thieves stole eight chairs, two glass-topped tables and two parasols from the front garden at Alexandra Nursing Home, Queens Road-Alexandra Park, less than half a mile from the town centre, last week.

One of the residents, aged 92, alerted a member of staff to the furniture being taken and a carer attempted to chase a man who was carrying one of the tables.

Thieves then returned a day later and stole the glass tops.

Committed fundraisers Tina Byrom Cooper and her daughter Clare heard about the thefts and angry posts on social media.

Said Tina: “We decided to jump in and give those residents their garden haven back.

"What happened appalled most people.

“We were a few quid short for the parasol and my friend, Liam King, who also helps fundraise with me, put the rest of the money in so we could get the whole shabang.

“Myself and my daughter decided a while ago there's so much poverty in this country so we put a small search out for people who were struggling to eat to get warm and we invited all our friends and made a little group called C&T for everyone for most of our friends to donate to help.

“It's ironic as I'm a partner in Just Plants of Nantwich with my husband - but unfortunately we don't sell garden furniture.

“It's just a big group of friends who all pitch in.

"We never give cash - we buy what's needed.

"And we try to help as many people as we can.”

Vickie Crossley, the home’s activities coordinator, said: “We have received garden furniture for our garden from C & T.

"It has been amazing raising funds for our residents.

“We are just waiting for the weather to improve so we can get it all assembled so that our residents can enjoy the garden again.

"Tina has definitely restored our residents' faith in humanity.”

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