100-year-old war veteran Len Parry from Skipton had his safe containing thousands of pounds stolen while he was recovering from a fall in hospital. The former RAF ground crew member had checked into Bradford Royal Infirmary for a small procedure, but lost his balance when he was taking off his jumper, banging his head on the ground.
After doctors recommended he stay overnight for observations, thieves broke into his home, taking his safe which contained the money. The war veteran from Yorkshire said the incident had left him feeling ‘angry’.
Len, who had been taken prisoner in Singapore during World War Two – but managed to flee when Japanese soldiers got drunk while guarding the captives – said he hadn’t initially noticed that the safe had been taken until a couple of days later.
He kept nearly £4,000 in the safe, which he used for emergencies and for his grandchildren’s birthdays, as well as keeping bank books and his driving licence inside, along with premium bonds.
He said: “The money’s gone and forgotten now and I’m not frightened of anyone coming back because there is nothing of any real value here. You don’t need valuables when you’re 100.”
“I would like whoever did it to be caught, though. It really upset me for a few days.”
In a bid to help the local veteran, local newspaper The Yorkshire Post set up a fundraising campaign through the Just Giving website to help Mr Parry recoup his loses. Now, the fundraiser – which aimed to just raise the money that was lost – has completely taken off, raising over £20,000 in just two days. Appearing on GMB this morning, Len said he would be giving the extra cash to charity.
If you wish to donate to Len Parry, war veteran from Skipton, you can do so here.
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