OVERWHELMING offers of donations have flooded in after Christmas lights were stolen from Poole children’s hospice, Julia’s House.

Kind-hearted supporters include AFC Bournemouth star Harry Arter who offered to pay to replace the equipment which was stolen from the Corfe Mullen hospice.

An online fundraising page has also raised more than £2,000 from supporters of the charity with offers to replace the lights also being made from individuals and businesses.

B&Q dropped off some lights yesterday, with many other offers being made to the charity following the despicable incident on Tuesday evening.

CCTV footage shows the moment heartless thieves slashed the wires from a junction box and stole it, cutting out the lights.

Two men are seen pulling up outside the hospice on Springdale Road, Corfe Mullen, in a white van at around 9pm.

They also took some lights on stakes which were illuminating the entrance to the hospice and had been donated by one of the charity’s supporters.

Cherries midfielder Harry said he was prompted to help out after seeing the story on Twitter.

“I just thought that Christmas is a time for giving, certainly not taking, and with children that aren’t very well, Christmas should be extra special,” he told the Daily Echo.

“I think what’s happened is disgusting and I just wanted to try and help.”

The missing lights were discovered by care staff arriving at the hospice on Wednesday morning.

They had been set up for the enjoyment of the poorly children attending sessions this week and staying over this weekend.

‘Completely overwhelmed’ by all the help LEAD nurse at the hospice, Louise McKenna, said: “We have been completely overwhelmed by the public response to our missing lights.

“We’ve had so many fantastic messages of support and donations of money, lights and even offers of help to repair our damaged electrics.

“Among those who have donated is AFC Bournemouth footballer Harry Arter who heard about our plight on Twitter.

“We still have donations coming in and any that aren’t used for the lights will be put towards some special festive treats for our family Winter Party in January.

“This has really lifted the spirits of everyone here at the hospice.”

PC Garry Weston, of Ferndown police described the incident as a “despicable crime”.