The manager of a Royston charity shop has said the response of the community in the wake of the news the shop was burgled has been ‘heartwarming’.

Volunteers at the Age UK shop in Church Lane thought they would have to cancel their Christmas dinner when the money they had collected for a deposit was taken during the burglary, which happened overnight between Wednesday and Thursday, November 25 and 26.

But since the Crow ran an article about the break-in on last week’s front page, the kind people of Royston have come forward to donate cash in order to ensure the volunteers can still go ahead with their well-deserved festive dinner.

Manager Janice Farrelly said: “We thought at one point that we would have to cancel the meal, but people have been very kind with their donations.

“It’s very heartwarming to know that there are very kind and lovely people out there who are just as upset as we are that a charity shop has been burgled.

“Since the article, people have come into the shop who don’t usually visit, just to make a donation.

“It’s now given us enough money to put down a deposit for the meal and we have been able to phone the restaurant so it is all ready to go ahead.

“There have been quite a few people coming through the door to donate, not just a couple, so I would like to say thank you on behalf of all the staff.”

One such kind-hearted donor is Bassingbourn’s Nick Burr, who pledged to donate £100 out of the money which was raised during a fundraising Dans Le Noir night he organised.

Nick said: “I thought I would give the volunteers some money from my charity donations as the reason for doing the charity nights is to help local people.

“I think these volunteers work hard and deserve a Christmas dinner at the very least.”

Nick raised £1,600 for local charities at an auction held at The Belle in Bassingbourn last week, which brings the total up to more than £4,000.

Items auctioned off included a four-ball round at East Herts Golf Club, a football signed by Sky Sports presenters, a three-litre bottle of Jack Daniel’s, a signed Spurs pendant and a current first team signed Arsenal shirt.