Heart of the community
Reporter: LEWIS JONES
Date published: 01 December 2011
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THE true power of a community united could be witnessed in Shaw yesterday as a search team of more than 150 joined in the hunt for Nellie Geraghty’s missing handbag.
Police said they were “astounded” by the turnout as volunteers flocked to hunt for the popular pensioner’s bag — containing her late husband’s ashes. The Shaw 79-year-old suffered fatal head injuries when she was mugged in an alleyway near her home a week ago today.
From mums with babies in prams to pensioners, helpers turned up in their droves to scour the area, joining eight teams lead by investigating officers.
Each were handed blue forensic gloves and reflective arm-bands while DCI Joanne Rawlinson opened a briefing at a packed Holy Trinity Church in Church Road.
Addressing the gathering, she said: “I need to thank you all for attending this search.
“I want to pass on personal thanks from Nellie’s family, who are eternally grateful for everyone turning out and the support shown.
“Someone in this community must know something. We’re urging them to have the courage to pick up the phone and speak to us. Today shows the strength of public spirit and the love for Nellie.”
It was then to the streets to conduct the search, although no significant items were discovered.
Several teenagers, off school due to strike action, had also given up their time and were given the responsibility of circulating appeal leaflets across Shaw to raise the campaign’s profile.
“We really wanted to do something to help,” said 14-year-old Leon Beadman.
Search-party members left no stone unturned as they looked in bins, hedges, gardens and grids.
It follows days of specialist investigators searching the area but to no avail. Police are still on the hunt for Nellie’s killer having launched a murder inquiry. The mass show of affection and dedication to the cause sprung from a Facebook group, set up as a tribute to the pensioner.
Lance Kucak (24), of Shaw Road in Royton, was its creator and set the wheels for the search in motion by posting the event online on Monday. And the planned search was front-page news in the Chronicle on Tuesday.
He said: “It just shows that when you give people an opportunity to shine they’ll grab it and come together for what is right. I’m shocked at how the group expanded so quickly and I’m so impressed at the massive show of support.”
More details of the contents of the bag have now emerged. It is thought to have included a distinctive pink wallet endorsed with an “Ocean Village” logo. A brown leather wallet and green plastic spiral key holder were also inside.
Volunteers were hopeful they would find the bag and its contents to fulfil Nellie’s wish to be cremated with her husband Frank’s ashes.
Locals are even considering lining the streets of Shaw as a mark of respect on the day of the great-grandma’s funeral — but that rests on the blessing of her family.
Shaw resident Lisa Smirk (43) said: “I can’t believe how many people have turned out, it shows there is real heart here.”
Described by police as “well turned out”, Nellie was always dressed smartly with matching shoes and handbags. Details about the bag she was carrying are sketchy, as the family do not know which of her collection she had with her on the day of the attack.
It’s also said she regularly changed the container carrying the ashes — in thge past she had used a Ferrero Rocher chocolate box to keep them safe. But the belieg is she had them in a small box inside a blue, velvet drawstring bag she had stitched herself.
People are reminded that if they do come across what they think might be something resembling the items to contact police immediately and take care not to damage potential evidence surrounding the item.
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161-856 5448 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800-555 111.
What was in the bag
Anyone travelling around the Shaw area and surrounding districts is being urged to keep an eye peeled for the missing bag.
Police say any items thought to be in the bag could also provide vital clues if found.
It’s believed the black shoulder bag contained:
::A green plastic spiral ‘clip-on’ cord, possibly with a key attached.
::A pink wallet with an Ocean Village logo.
::A brown wallet, possibly with a camel motif.
::A black purse.
::A chequebook in Nellie’s name.
::Pictures of Frank, her late husband.
::A bus pass in her name.
::Frank’s ashes in a blue velour bag.
::A metal loop thought to have attached the straps to the main body of the bag.
