Money Stolen from Father’s Christmas Display Honoring Son Who Died of Cancer: ‘Really Disheartening’

A father in England says he’s still in shock after thieves stole a significant amount of money from a Christmas display created in memory of his late son.

Between 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 8, and 7:30 a.m. the following morning, someone targeted a wishing well in Hethersett, Norfolk, that Tristan Cork had set up to raise funds for Finnbar’s Force — a charity named for his son, who died from a brain tumor in 2016. The organization supports children diagnosed with cancer.

“That money on a daily basis raises enough money for children to have therapy, play therapy, support for parents and siblings,” Cork, 43, told the BBC.

The annual festive display in Park Green has drawn more than $40,000 in donations over the last five years, according to the Eastern Daily Press. Cork said the wishing well was handmade and decorated with help from volunteers.

“We start at the beginning of October and the switch-on is in November,” he told the outlet. “It’s to remember Finnbar but also for the community.”

Cork added that the display has been “loved by children in the neighborhood” since it was first introduced in 2017.

After the theft, the wishing well was left badly damaged. Cork said the incident was especially discouraging because the display already comes with costs.

“It costs us money to put the display on, it costs us money to buy lights,” he told the BBC. “It is really disheartening, really disappointing that someone from this community or further afield has just come here and done this to spoil our event.”

Norfolk police said in a news release that investigators are asking for witnesses or any doorbell camera footage that could help identify those responsible.

Cork said he initially felt “quite down” and even questioned whether to keep the tradition going. But he says the community response has helped restore his confidence.

“We’ve had offers from about four welders to fix the well, and a lot of offers to replace the cash,” he told the BBC. “We’ve got back now probably what’s been taken.”