Joy for Littlehampton’s Enable Me after heartless banner theft

Staff and volunteers at Enable Me have received a cash donation of £150 from Sussex Police to replace a banner that was stolen by thieves, earlier in the year.

The banner, advertising the charity and the opening of its new youth club for disabled children, at the Flintstone Centre, in East Street, Littlehampton, was taken just weeks after the venture was launched, in September.

Speaking during the cheque hand-over at Enable Me’s base, at The Dairy Centre, in Church Street, on Friday, November 30, the charity’s chief executive Nik Demetriades said: “It’s a fantastic surprise.

“We run our own club for disabled people, who sometimes are bullied in the local community. It’s great that we can forge this connection with our local police force.”

Sue Pegrum, also of Enable Me, said: “It was shocking when the banner was taken.

“We’re only a small charity and we couldn’t afford to replace it. So we’re very thankful for the police, in particular PCSO Kelly Mankelow, who has been very helpful.”

PCSO Mankelow presented the cash, from the Police Property Act Fund (PPAF), with Sgt Roy Hodder.

Sgt Hodder said: “When we heard about the thief of the banner, PCSO Mankelow applied to the PPAF for cash.

“It’s nice to know that we are supporting a good local charity.”