'Phenomenal' generosity after baby bank break-in

A West Yorkshire charity supporting families with young children in poverty has thanked people for their "phenomenal" generosity after a break-in.

Leeds Baby Bank in Armley was targeted between Thursday night and Friday morning, with laptops, phones and tablets stolen from its site on Wellington Road.

The charity, which offers help to families with children up to the age of five, launched an online appeal after the burglary, with fundraising reaching £25,000.

Sarah Cohen, unit manager, said: "The outpouring of love from the city of Leeds has just been phenomenal, absolutely phenomenal.

"Every cloud does have its silver lining."

Donations included £1,000 from former Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford, who now plays for Sheffield United.

The charity said it meant it could restart work to provide essential items for young children and their mothers.

People have also offered laptops and assistance with repairs, Leeds Baby Bank added, with one woman ordering a new tablet to be delivered to the charity.

Cohen said she arrived at work at 07:30 BST on Friday and found a window had been smashed, with two internal doors also left damaged.

Many soft toys and equipment in the family rooms had to be thrown away because they were covered with broken glass, she said.

After the break-in the charity "couldn't function" due to a lack of technology, she said, pausing essential tasks like referrals.

Along with the "superb" offers of help and money, Leeds Baby Bank said it had also seen a spike in donated baby items to help get it up and running again.

West Yorkshire Police said it continued to investigate the break-in, with anyone with information or who "witnessed anything suspicious" urged to come forward.

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