Just days after thieves stole their Christmas presents, tears turned to cheers for the McConnell brothers.
Eddie, 11, Jarrod, 8, and Joshua, 4, were devastated to discover their new Nintendo Wii console and games were among a number of items stolen from their Allansford home while they were on a family holiday in Nelson.
But that was a distant memory yesterday when the youngsters picked up a new Xbox 360 donated by Jack ’s Games owner John Murnane.
Store manager Wayne Stevenson said after reading about the boys ’ bad luck in The Standard both he and Mr Murnane were pleased to be able to put a smile back on their faces. "It ’s never good to have anything stolen, but right after Christmas is terrible," Mr Stevenson said. "We ’re just happy to be able to do something for them." The boys received two games with their new console and a gold membership at the "It ’s very good thing and shows the kids there are decent people in the world." Vicki Burns DVD and games rental store.
Vicki Burns said she and her partner Steve McConnell were "overwhelmed" at the generosity of the donation to their children. "It ’s very good thing and shows the kids there are decent people in the world," Ms Burns said. "They are very excited and very surprised but it ’s much appreciated. "They couldn ’t wait to get here to see it and they can ’t wait to get it home." Ms Burns said the family returned home from a weeklong camping holiday in Nelson to discover their home had been broken into and numerous possessions stolen. "Pretty much everything of value had been stolen," Ms Burns told The Standard earlier this week.
The thieves also took the boys ’ Guitar Hero set, an older Xbox console, controls, games and a laptop computer. Ms Burns ’ Pandora bracelet, rings and a necklace were also taken along with alcohol, an iPod, video cassettes and a backpack.
Ms Burns said their home had been locked while they were away.
The toilet window had been forced open by the thieves.
By Tina Liplai
