The spirit of Christmas has proven to be alive and well after the people of Norwich leapt to the aid of a youth football club targeted by thieves.

Norwich Evening News: Lakeford Rangers Under 7's who have been overwhelmed with money and gifts after news of the theft of their balls and training equipment was told in the Evening News. Photo : Steve AdamsLakeford Rangers Under 7's who have been overwhelmed with money and gifts after news of the theft of their balls and training equipment was told in the Evening News. Photo : Steve Adams (Image: Copyright Archant Norfolk 2014)

Lakeford Rangers players were left devastated after their storage space at Eaton Park was hit and 50 footballs worth £500 and used by the under sevens were callously taken.

But after a plea to replace the footballs by the Norwich Evening News, the team was overwhelmed by the generosity from people across the city.

Club secretary Richard Lincoln, 47, of Beechbank Drive Thorpe End, said he has had letters sent to him from people offering their help to cash and football donations.

'The response from the local community has been amazing,' he said. 'It just show that the community spirit is still out there.'

So far they have received 65 footballs from Norwich kit-supplier Macron, who donated 30 balls and £250, 10 from Dereham-based business 4sports and an anonymous £100 donation.

'I've even had to turn down some donations from people, otherwise we would end up with more than we started with,' Mr Lincoln, who has been involved with the club for 10 years, said.

The crime is believed to have happened the night of Tuesday December 3 or the morning of December 4. No other equipment was taken but a first aid bag was turned out.

The club, which gets its name from the Lakenham and Cringleford areas where its members are traditionally drawn from, did have a few footballs left to use for matches, but it needs the larger number of to give each child one to train with.

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