Healthcare worker's disappointment after bird feeder with grandad's ashes in stolen

Last week, Jodie Robinson noticed the ornament had been taken from the communal garden where she lives, on Ennerdale Gardens in Breightmet.

Jodie’s grandad Vic died in July 2018 at the age of 81 and she got the bird feeder in memory of his love of gardening and flowers.

Vic’s dog Jess stayed with Jodie until the beloved pet passed away around a year later and some of her ashes were also buried in the bird feeder with a special paw print mould put in place.

Mum-of-four Jodie, 32, said: “To anyone else they may just think it was a bird feeder but to me and my children it was one piece of my grandad.

“Whoever took it must have walked past the garden a few times to see the bird feeder before they took it.

“I do not understand why they did it – it is strange.

“It makes me feel unsafe with people coming into the garden.

“I thought it would be safe there but clearly not.

“It had solar lights which would light up at night time and last week I noticed it had gone when I could not see it through the window."

A bird feeder similar to the one that was stolen outside Jodie's home

Jodie shared a post on social media last Thursday, venting her anger about the callous theft. And a kind-hearted man got in touch with her and donated a bird feeder to help ease the pain.

However, she had been left hurt by the experience of having such a precious family item taken from her.

“I am also working quite hard in the pandemic and this is disheartening," Jodie added.

Jodie Robinson

Vic with her great-granddaughter Demi on her Year 6 prom day

There are CCTV cameras surveying the property and Jodie has been looking through hours of the video footage in the hope of catching the thief.

If you have any information about the theft contact police on 101.

Alternatively, call the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.