New bench turns despair into delight for Irthlingborough charity

The Northants Telegraph reported earlier this week that staff at Headway East Northants had discovered several items from the garden of its base in Irthlingborough High Street were missing.

After searching in and around their premises, they found the furniture had been smashed up and dumped down a bank outside the doctor’s surgery nearby.

It was upsetting for staff and clients of the charity, which supports people with an acquired brain injury in East Northants, Kettering, Corby, Wellingborough and surrounding area.

Several clients, who have varying degrees of disability and cognitive impairment as a result of their injury, had been involved with the project to renovate and restore the garden furniture.

But their disappointment has turned to delight with the donation of a new bench to replace the damaged one.

PCSO Kev Lumbis made an appeal to colleagues at Northamptonshire Police and an officer donated a bench, which was delivered today (Friday).

Services manager for Headway East Northants Jean Tudor said: “PCSO Kev Lumbis and his colleague Simon delivered it to us today to the delight of everyone at Headway East Northants.

“It is a very substantial bench in need of a little renovation and our clients are looking forward to rejuvenating it.

“The police have been so responsive and supportive over the theft of our property and we greatly appreciate their kindness and concern.”

The police are still appealing for information about the vandalism, which took place between 5pm on Friday, October 21, and 9am on Monday.

Anyone with information can call Northamptonshire Police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.