Shannon Winter who has been helped by Carl Donoclift.
A DISABLED teenager’s tears of despair after she was robbed while on holiday in Seaview, have turned to tears of joy after a kind-hearted Island man pledged to replace all her stolen belongings.
When North Sea drilling rig supervisor Carl Donoclift read last week’s County Press story about how 14-year-old West Midlands girl Shannon Winter and her family were burgled as they slept, he was immediately prompted to put things right.
The 50-year-old good Samaritan, of High Street, Godshill, got in touch with the County Press — offering to replace all of Shannon’s stolen items.
These included her treasured Prada bag with Louis Vuitton key chain, her purple Gucci purse, which contained holiday money, an iPod Shuffle and headphones.
Other items stolen were special spoons Shannon uses to eat with and head scarves to cover her alopecia.
Shannon and her mum, Sharon, were overcome with emotion when the County Press passed on the great news.
Shannon’s father, Jon Winter, said: "Shanon was absolutely over the moon. A smile spread right across her face. It was a lovely moment telling her. It is fantastic news.
"We’ve always known that people on the Island are lovely and this is a fantastic gesture. To see Shannon smile after what happened was just wonderful. It’s definitely restored my faith in the Island and we will come back for another family holiday."
A national Child of Courage award nominee, Shannon has secondary dystonia, a rare condition similar to cerebral palsy, and needs an annual operation to replace a battery in her abdomen.
The family, from Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, have been holidaying on the Island for 20 years and had come to Seaview for a break before Shannon was due to have an operation on a displaced hip.
They said they were totally bowled over by Mr Donoclift’s kind gesture.
Mr Donoclift said: "Shannon and her family probably have enough to contend with on a day-to-day basis, so to read in the County Press that some low life had had burgled them on holiday was truly appalling.
"That person must’ve seen the special cutlery and realised the family had problems to contend with."
Blob Anyone with information about the burglary, in Pier Road, Seaview, which happened overnight between June 20 and the early hours of June 21, can contact DC Phil Harrison-Smith, of Newport CID, on 0845 0454545. Other stolen items included a designer briefcase, £380 cash, two mobile phones and a digital camera.
Reporter: jonm@iwcpmail.co.uk