Vandals damage Christmas tree at Wisbech hospital

Patients and staff at North Cambridgeshire Hospital have been upset after vandals have raided their Christmas tree.

Over the weekend yobs have stolen baubles and wrecked lights from the 12ft Christmas tree, which had been delighting patients and visitors to the site.

Friends of Wisbech Hospital have paid more than £150 for the tree and its decorations to add some festive cheer.

Hospital support manager Mandy Pears said staff have been disappointed by the theft.

She said: “It is really disheartening that someone could do that.

“For the morale of staff and the patients the tree has been important. This is the second year Friends of Wisbech Hospital have funded this.

“We have had several calls from people outraged that someone could do this.

“Due to infection control, fewer and fewer internal decorations are put up.”

One set of lights which decorated the tree has been damaged in the incident.

Staff at the hospital will be checking CCTV footage in the hopes of tracking down the vandals.

Mrs Pears said: “Who has done this should think about the damage they have caused. This has to have been done as a prank and they should think about how they have hurt people.”

Vice-chairman of the Friends of Wisbech Hospital Malcolm Bruce said the theft was “beyond comprehension”.

He said: “I just can’t believe someone would do this. It shows a lack of respect.

“To steal from a hospital is sickening.

“We would be willing to buy some new ones but these people would be back another night.”

If anyone would like to donate baubles to replace the missing ones, please drop them into the hospital’s reception.

PIC Hospital support manager Mandy Pears with the bare tree PICTURE: mfcp14af12800 and mfcp14af12800