A BRISTOL charity has kindly pledged to cover the loss another charity suffered last week.
At about 2.15am last Monday, two thieves broke into Shireway Community Centre in Yate and stole about £1,400 collected for the Corin's First Steps appeal.
The charity is trying to find £35,000 for three-year-old Corin Potts to have a life-changing operation to help him walk, plus vital aftercare.
Corin was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when he was 18 months old and cannot walk unaided, relying on a walking frame or wheelchair to get around.
When Scott Wright, who runs a charity helping children and families effected by cerebral palsy, and his fiancee Melissa, heard what had happened, they felt compelled to help out.
"When I saw the story it made me sick to the stomach," said Mr Scott, of Crossways Road, Knowle. "It almost felt personal because my brother has the same condition.
"I cannot imagine what it felt like to put in all the effort and raise all that money, only for some vile toe-rags to steal it.
"I thought, we've got to help and the first cheque we will send off after our next charity event will be for Corin's First Steps."
On September 16, boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard is coming to Cabot Circus to do a meet and greet and question and answer session.
Tickets, which are still available, will raise money for the Darren Wright Foundation, which Mr Wright set up inspired by his big brother Darren, who developed cerebral palsy as a baby.
Hearing that the foundation had pledged the money, Corin's dad James Potts, 31, said: "It's massive. It's so generous. They don't know us and they didn't have to help, so it's just humbling that they felt obliged to.
"We had a brilliant event at the Shireway and I'm gutted that one or two people let everyone down like this."
Money is being raised for Corin to have selective dorsal rhizotomy surgery (SDR).
While the surgery is available at Frenchay Hospital, just seven miles away from the family's home in Woodchester, Yate, it is not routinely available on the NHS and the local health trusts do not tend to pay for the operation.
The family have been told it is unlikely they will get funding, and they are waiting to find out whether Corin will be able to have the procedure at Frenchay Hospital, for about £23,000, or whether they will have to go to the USA where it would cost considerably more.
The £1,400 stolen was raised the Saturday before the break-in from a treasure hunt, auction and karaoke at the community centre.
So far, more than £29,000 has been raised. To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/corinsfirststeps.
For tickets to the Sugar Ray Leonard event, costing £40 and including champagne reception at Cinema de Lux, or to sponsor it, call 07502 312834 or visit enquiries@darrenwrightfound.org.uk.
CCTV of the break-in has been released by the police and Crimestoppers, and can be viewed by visiting www.thisisbristol.co.uk/CorinCCTV.
Anyone with information on the crime should call the police 101, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
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