Sidmouth Library inundated with toy donations after ‘devastating’ theft

Sidmouth librarian Carol Pentecost with the newly donated toys. Ref shs 02-17TI 5311. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth Library has been inundated with generous donations of toys from the community following a ‘devastating’ theft just days before Christmas.

Supervisor Carol Pentecost says her faith in humanity has been restored after around 20 soft animals – some bought new especially for the cause – were gifted in response to an appeal in the Herald.

However, staff are so fearful of repeat thefts, they do not feel they can leave the items out all of the time.

The three cuddly toys that were stolen from the Blackmore Drive premises last month had been much-loved by many children who visit the library and two had particular sentimental value to the people who had donated them.

Carol said: “People have been very generous, which has restored my faith in humanity. I just want to say thank-you to all the people who have donated toys in response to the appeal we put out.

“The response has been lovely and it’s a shame that it’s come out of something so negative. We rely on the toys being donated.

“There would not have been money to replace the toys so we would have had to ask the library friends to host a fundraising event – we now don’t have to because of people’s generosity.

“We are now loath to leave them in the library, so we just put them out when we have little ones in and then collect them in again.

“It’s very sad that they cannot just be left in there for people to enjoy. Some people have actually gone out and bought toys to give us to use, which is incredibly touching.”