Bring Me The Horizon front man Oli Sykes steps in after ram-raiders target Sheffield animal charity

Scores of Sheffielders – including rock singer Oli Sykes – have dug deep to raise thousands of pounds for an animal rescue charity targeted by ram-raiders.
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Burglars forced their way into the RSPCA Animal Centre in Stadium Way, Attercliffe, in July and stole a van that is used by the charity to collect donations and move animal supplies across the city.

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Since the charity launched an emotional online appeal asking for donations following the ‘devastating’ break-in, people across the city have put their hands in the pockets to raise thousands of pounds for the centre.

The damaged gates.The damaged gates.
The damaged gates.
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It has now been revealed that Oli Sykes, best known as the front man of chart-topping Sheffield band Bring Me The Horizon, supported the campaign and helped to raise more than £2000.

The money was collected through the sale of limited edition t-shirts and tote bags dedicated to the charity through Oli’s Drop Dead clothing company.

This has boosted the total to around £5500 and means the charity can now buy a new van.

Bring Me The Horizon front man Oli Sykes.Bring Me The Horizon front man Oli Sykes.
Bring Me The Horizon front man Oli Sykes.

Dawn Sampson, business manager at the centre, said: “The public’s response to our appeal has been absolutely amazing.

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“It just shows you how much people in Sheffield care about our charity.

“We are so grateful but we always need to try and find a way to keep that going because it costs £3000 a day to keep going.

“Without public donations we would have to shut down.”

The 44-year-old, of North Anston, told how members of the public have been offering to crisscross the city transporting supplies in their own vehicles in the absence of a van.

But following the fundraising campaign, the charity is now in a position to buy a new van within the next few days.

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Charity bosses will also install new security measures, including bollards, after the centre’s main gates were damaged in the ram-raid.

Police are still hunting those responsible for the crime and the stolen vehicle – a large white Transit box-van with the registration number ML58 XSJ – is still missing.

The incident happened overnight between Friday, July 12, at 10pm and Saturday, July 13, at 6.40am.

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting crime reference number 14/106482/19.