Bench taken from cancer support charity

A Â£500 harwood bench has been stolen from Vine House in Preston

Staff at CancerHelp (Preston) Ltd were left shocked after discovering a £500 hardwood bench had been taken from their base at Vine House in Cromwell Road, Ribbleton.

The bench, a donation from a local charity, was noticed missing on the evening of Wednesday, April 19.

It was used regularly by cancer patients and their families, and now the charity is appealing to the local community to help replace it.

Stella Humphreys, head of income at Vine House, said: “The bench was used by patients, their families, carers and friends.

“These are people accessing our free services for emotional, physical and social support.

“The bench is in a nice sunny spot outside the main door, accessible by a ramp too.

“It was a donation to the charity a few years ago and the theft has shocked us all.

“It really is very sad that someone would do this.

“We are a local independent charity, our work is almost exclusively funded by the money it raises in the local community.

“If anyone could support us we would be extremely grateful.”

A spokesman for Lancashire Constabulary confirmed the crime had been reported, but enquiries are ongoing and they are still appealing for the bench to be returned.

Anyone with information is asked to call the police on 101.

CancerHelp (Preston) was founded by Mary O’Donoghue in 1989 and each year the charity provides over 6,000 patient visits/contacts that are free to all cancer patients.

Anyone who is able to help the charity replace the bench, or is interested in future fundraising opportunities is asked to call 01772 793344.