Tommy comes to nursery’s rescue

BACK in the swing . . . (from the left) Jack Buckley, Hollie Wright, owner Janet Clegg, Grace Guilfoyle, Tommy Cone, Oliver Pemberton, Benjamin Midgley and Elizabeth Blagborough

A MOORSIDE millionaire has come to the aid of a vandal-hit nursery which had toys worth thousands of pounds stolen.

Children and staff at Moorside pre-school nursery and aftercare were devastated by the theft from an outdoor storage container.

But sobs turned to smiles when lottery winner Tommy Cone, from Ripponden Road, donated £2,500.

Mr Cone (68), who won £4.2 million in 2003, decided to give the money after reading the story in the Oldham Evening Chronicle.

He said: “I’ve got 13 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. After reading the Chronicle on Friday, I was so angry I was straight on the phone to the nursery.

“The people who did this are scum. How would they like it if this happened to their children or grandchildren? The nursery is part of my community and the cheque is for the children.”

Yobs had targeted the nursery for several months and a huge fund-raising event to pay for security fencing had made £1,000.

The nursery will now put Mr Cone’s money towards extra security measures which will cost £4,500.

Since the article was featured, generous Moorside residents have donated new toys to replace the stolen items.

Owner Janet Clegg (48), of Sholver Hill Close, said: “When I found out about the donation, I was really touched and flung my arms round Tommy when I saw him.”