Fundraising appeal launched after grandmother’s purse stolen while shopping in Derbyshire

A local community in Shirebrook has come together and launched a fundraising appeal after an elderly woman had her purse stolen on Monday morning.
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The woman, in her 70s, was shopping at Aldi in Shirebrook when a thief dipped into her handbag, which was in her shopping trolley, and stole her purse.

Derbyshire police said the incident occurred between 10.20am and 10.45am and the police are currently looking for witnesses to assist in their investigation.

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A spokesperson said: "The woman was understandably very upset by what happened and we would ask any witnesses, or anyone who saw a man acting suspiciously in the store at this time, to come forward."

Derbyshire police said the thief dipped into the woman's handbag and stole her purseDerbyshire police said the thief dipped into the woman's handbag and stole her purse
Derbyshire police said the thief dipped into the woman's handbag and stole her purse

The incident came to light when a woman, believed to be the woman's granddaughter, took it to Facebook and said the stolen money was her pension and some was meant for Christmas presents.

Samantha Mann wrote: "My grandma's purse was stolen from her handbag in Aldi Shirebrook this morning (Monday 23).

"She had just been to the post office and taken her pension plus money for Christmas presents so the purse had an amount of cash in.

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"If anyone knows anything or hears of anything please get in touch as we have a crime number. CCTV is expected to be shared by the police."

Her post, which has been shared widely since, prompted a community Facebook page, I Love Shirebrook, to help the elderly woman raise the money she lost through fundraising.

One of the organisers, Jason Stansfield said: "I Love Shirebrook has set up this JustGiving page to help raise the money lost and make a well-loved member of our community feel a little better on the run up to Christmas.

"It will pay for the lost pension so that she can pay her bills and for the presents she would have bought for her children and grandchildren.

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"If you could spare just a little and put a smile back on the faces of at least one deserving family, that would be a great thing indeed.”

Those with information can contact the Derbyshire police quoting the reference number 20*619738.

Those who would like to donate can go here.