Thieves Steal Cash from Dad’s Christmas Display Honoring Son Who Died of Cancer

A grieving father in Norfolk, England, says thieves “stole Christmas” after breaking into his charity display honoring his late son.

Tristan Cork discovered on the morning of December 9 that a handmade wishing well — part of his Christmas lights display — had been smashed and emptied of donations.

“It’s really disheartening,” Cork told the BBC. “This was for Finnbar and for every child fighting cancer.”

Cork’s son, Finnbar, died in 2016 from a brain tumor. Since then, the display has raised more than $40,000 for Finnbar’s Force, the charity he founded to support children with cancer and their families.

Police say the theft happened overnight on December 8 in Hethersett. The well, built by volunteers, was badly damaged. “It costs us money to put this on every year,” Cork said. “To see it ruined is heartbreaking.”

But the community quickly rallied. “We’ve had welders offer to fix the well and people replace the stolen cash,” he said. “We’ve already raised back what was taken.”

Cork says the lights will stay on. “We’re not letting this stop us,” he added. “Finnbar’s light still shines.”

Source: BBC, Eastern Daily Press, SWNS