As Pitshanger Lane gears up for what promises to be a bumper weekend (St Barnabas Frost Fair tonight, Pitshanger Pictures Sat and the annual Light up the Lane switching on the Christmas lights, stalls and fireworks on Sunday), I was sorry to see the state of The Children's Society charity shop yesterday evening.
Apparently, although signs discourage people from leaving donations outside when the shop is closed, over the weekend there were several bags left and someone thought it would be a great idea to set light to them. The heat from the burning bags cracked the glass and caused damage to the entrance so everything is boarded up at present.
The volunteers work hard to raise money for this leading UK children's charity and had just got all the Christmas stock of cards in. (If you still want to support them you can order these online http://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/).
It's such a shame that yet another Ealing charity shop is affected by violence - remember the impact the Ealing riots had on the Oxfam music store in Ealing Green last August - and that funds raised to use for good have to be diverted to repairs. This was an act not in the festive, community spirit that Pitshanger is fostering this weekend.
