Jade's campaign to raise cash for theft victim

Jade Ryalls (29) learned about the callous act of cruelty after reading the Advertiser’s front page on October 14 and was so saddened by the story she vowed to raise cash for the victim, John Cole.

Carer Sharon Tolley (44) stole £8,160 after she took Mr Cole’s bank card and used his PIN to empty his account as he lay in a hospital bed in July 2015 after a fall. 

Mr Cole had no friends or relatives and was dependant on carers.

He was forced to leave his Brinsworth home and live in a care home after being left with practically nothing.

Tolley, and her partner Darren Boden who spent some of the money, received suspended prison sentences earlier this month and were only ordered to repay £2,500 to Mr Cole.

Jade (pictured) said: “I felt really saddened that someone could do such a thing, it really tugged on my heart strings to learn Mr Cole had no friends or family.

“The article also said he got upset and confused when the police told him about the crimes.

“My nan passed away last month. She was 94 and lucky enough to have family \a but if something like this happened to her and she was alone, I’d like to think there was someone who would help her.”

Jade, a teaching assistant at Herringthorpe Junior School, added: “I live in the same community as the woman who did this to this gentleman - which disgusted me - so I decided I wanted to do fund-raising to get some money back for him.”

Jade started an online fund-raising page and has been contacting businesses who have donated raffle prizes.

She is also organising a charity football match at her workplace and hopes to arrange a charity evening.

PC Lynn Robins, who investigated the theft, has backed Jade’s campaign.

She said: “It’s absolutely fantastic to see members of the local community pulling together to do something nice for an elderly man who was treated so badly. 

“It reminds us all that those who commit such callous crimes are the exception and not the rule, and there are many good people out there who want to do good. 

“I commend Jade for what she’s doing.”

PC Robins said she would help Jade to hand the money raised over to Mr Cole.

Jade has never met Mr Cole and said that due to his dementia he may not understand what she was doing.

But she added: “That’s not the point of it. I still want to do it for him. I’m not doing it to get my name out there, I just think someone needs to help him.”

Around £100 has so far been donated online and Jade said she was hoping to raise £1,000.

To donate visit http://tinyurl.com/z3ohae5.