BURGLARS TARGET MENINGITIS MUM (From Warrington Guardian)

BURGLARS TARGET MENINGITIS MUM

HEARTBROKEN mum Joanne Dolman is pleading with burglars to return precious memories of the first months of her baby boy.

Video cassettes of 10-month-old Benjamin Dolman were stolen from Joanne's Congleton home while she was at his bedside at Macclesfield Hospital.

Benjamin is recovering from meningitis, and the video pictures of the baby were among a £2,000 haul stolen from Joanne's home in Coronation Road.

As well as Joanne's camcorder the burglars stole a video recorder and a 16th birthday signet ring bought by her mother, which has great sentimental value.

To add to the trauma of the break-in none of the items were insured, and local shopkeeper Frank Holt is organising a raffle to raise money to help replace the stolen possessions.

The raffle was prompted by anger among his customers that burglars had targeted Joanne's home knowing she would be at hospital.

"Feelings are running very high on the estate about the burglary, and I don't know how anyone could stoop so low," said Mr Holt.

The burglars struck at the home of the single mum on Saturday night, and she made an emotional plea for the return of the tapes.

"Please hand my camcorder back, and all the memories of Benjamin's first months," she said.

"There are two cassettes, and although there are copies of them nothing can replace the originals.

"I was very upset when I was told about the break-in, but am now trying to block it out as the important thing is that Benjamin is getting better."

Joanne is hoping Benjamin will be allowed home on Saturday, the end of a nightmare which began last week.

"I was lucky that I caught it quickly," said Joanne.

"Benjamin had a high temperature, 40 degrees, and once he got the spots I knew.

"I phoned the doctor straightaway - with Benjamin being so young I didn't think twice."

Joanne has been with her son all the time he has been in hospital, three days of which he lay listless in his cot.

"Then Joanne heard him call 'mum, mum, mum' and knew he was getting better,'' said East Cheshire NHS Trust press officer James Middleton.

"In the last few days he has picked himself up, and is back to his happy little self."

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