KIND-HEARTED members of the community have been praised after rallying round a charity which was broken into in the early hours of Friday, April 24.

The Salvation Army’s shop, on Tranent’s Winton Place, was targeted and a three-figure sum of cash stolen.

In response, a JustGiving page was created for members of the community to make a donation.

Already, the page has collected more than £850, with a £100 donation from the Tranent Belters.

According to the online page, “mindless thieves broke in to the Salvation Army in Tranent and caused considerable damages to the building exterior as well as stealing money from charity boxes and a safe”.

It added: “In this current climate with the Covid-19 pandemic, charities are being greatly affected and are not receiving the same funding.

“So far local communities have shown great community spirit in pulling together and therefore my hope is for everyone in the community to pull together once again and raise money to pay for the damages caused last night and contribute to the money stolen from the safe/cash boxes.”

Major James Elliot, who leads the Salvation Army’s community church in Tranent, said: “We are saddened that someone felt they had to resort to breaking into our shop – where people have made donations in good faith to support those who are vulnerable or in need.

“However, we have been encouraged by the care and support of the local community in response to the break-in.

“Their generosity has been overwhelming and we want to say a huge thank you to them.”

A man has been arrested and charged following an alleged incident in Tranent on April 24. A report has been sent to the Procurator Fiscal.

To make a donation, go to justgiving.com/crowdfunding/laura-dickson

 

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