Celtic offer to replace Christmas gifts for sick kids stolen from Great Ormond Street hospital

By PATRICK MCPARTLIN
Published on 18/12/2012 23:55

CELTIC FC have said they will replace up to 20 presents that were stolen from London’s Great Ormond Street hospital for sick children.

The presents, including portable DVD players, Nintendo DS games consoles and other games and toys, were bought from the hospital’s charity fund, and were taken from a non-public area of the hospital sometime over the weekend.

London-born entrepreneur and star of The Apprentice Lord Sugar has also expressed an interest in helping to replace the presents, which were intended for children being treated in the hospital’s intensive care unit.

Police were called on Monday after staff reported the theft, and are investigating.

The hospital, which has more than 200,000 patient visits every year, was set up in 1852, celebrating its 160th anniversary earlier this year.

Inspector Neal Anderson of the Metropolitan Police said: “To steal presents that were supposed to be for children too sick to be at home with their families at Christmas is beyond belief.

“I would urge anyone who has information about the individual or persons responsible to contact officers so that we can try and get the items back before Christmas Day.

“I would also urge the thief to do the decent thing and return them.”

Anyone with information is being encouraged to contact the CID Office at Holborn, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.