AN ANONYMOUS donor has made a huge difference to a youngster's education after thieves stole a listening device from her school, last month.

Toni Ward, of Harvington CofE First School was delighted when she found out this week, that the radio aid, worth £1,000 would now be funded thanks to the generosity of a stranger.

The eight-year-old who is partially deaf and reliant on the transmitter, a hearing system, part of which hangs around the teacher's neck and transmits her voice to Toni's hearing aid. This system, fitted with a special radio transmitter, can pick up Toni's voice wherever she is in the school.

Katrina Hopkins, Toni's mum said: "We're all just so pleased that someone has donated money that will help fund the radio transmitters. I couldn't believe it at first when I was told, that someone wanted to help Toni and they didn't even want any recognition for it.

"I'd love to say thank you to whoever helped Toni. The donation has helped fund my daughter's learning and their generosity will make a huge difference to her education."

The anonymous donor believed to be from the Vale area contacted West Mercia Police after hearing about the heartless theft and offered two donations, towards the replacement of the specialised equipment and to the school.

Mrs Hopkins added: "When the hearing link was stolen the school was able to provide an alternative system but it was not as sophisticated, or effective, as the original equipment and Toni found it difficult to pick up sound. Now, thanks to people's kindness she is able to hear clearly again with the new hearing equipment.

"Toni is pleased with the donation and is handing in a thank you letter to the police so they can pass it on to the kind donor."

Marcia Palmer, head of Harvington First School said: "We're very grateful for the support we've received and are grateful too for the concern of the whole school community. It's really nice to know that people care so much and are concerned for others. All of us at the school want to say a warm thank you for these kind donations."

Sergeant Paul Crumpton, of Evesham Police station presented the cheque to Marcia Palmer on behalf of the anonymous donor.

4 Toni Ward of Harvington First School with Sergeant Paul Crumpton of Evesham police, after he presented head Marcia Palmer with a cheque to replace stolen hearing equipment. Picture by STUART PURFIELD Mar 06116