Market Santas have saved Christmas

Leanne Garforth and her children, Kaitlyn ( 9 yrs ) Tyler ( 8 yrs ) and Lewis ( 14 yrs ) with Olwyn Street, Shabaz Muzaffer ( trader ) and Dave Sansome outside the Market Hall

STAFF and traders at Tommyfield Market have helped two families who faced a bleak Christmas after burglars stole presents from their homes.

Security guards, stall holders and an anonymous donor have jointly raised over £500 for the two families in Chadderton and Limeside.

Security men Olwyn Street and Dave Sansome organised a collection at Tommyfield after reading about the plight of Leanne Garforth, of Long Lane, Chadderton, and Tanya Shaw, of Milford Avenue, Limeside.

Mrs Garforth (33), of Long Lane, Chadderton, had left presents including a Playstation 3, video games and Lego sets in cardboard boxes ready to give to her children on Christmas Day.

But thieves broke into her home on Monday night and stole the presents and other items.

Mr Street said: “I read the report about what had happened and asked Dave if we could so something about it. We held a collection round the market. The traders have all been supportive and we’re pleased to have raised this cash, which will go some way to giving them a better Christmas.”

Mrs Garforth (33), said: “People have been very generous since reading about that happened. It’s been amazing. This will be a great help and we really appreciate it. In addition to the money from Tommyfield Market and the public, we’ve had a few offers of replacement toys and things.

Mrs Shaw, of Milford Avenue, Limeside, (28), had popped out to see a friend when her home was plundered between 12.30pm and 3.30pm on Tuesday.

Presents including an Xbox and an Android tablet for nine-year-old son Josh were taken when the crooks pulled a kitchen window out of its frame to enter the property.

Anyone with information should call Greater Manchester Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.