A Good Samaritan has come to the aid of a crime-hit Bradford community centre.

David Crabtree stepped in after reading an appeal for help on the Telegraph & Argus website while on holiday abroad. Last month we reported that play equipment, including two bouncy castles, had been stolen during an overnight raid on the Buttershaw Christian Family Centre, in The Crescent.

The centre, which hosts three child-care settings, was faced with having to cancel its programme of Easter and summer activities, which included a ‘sponsored bounce’ for children on the bouncy castles.

Now Mr Crabtree, owner of Bingley-based Crabtree Care Homes, has stepped in to ensure the children will not be left disappointed.

Mr Crabtree was on holiday on the Spanish island of Tenerife when he read about the centre’s dire situation in a story on our website at thetelegraphandargus.co.uk He interrupted his holiday in the sun to write to the T&A, saying: “Could you ask whoever is in charge to rent whatever they need until the insurance comes through. Crabtree Care Homes will underwrite the costs while appealing for other small businesses to get behind the family centre and donate or give money directly to the centre so that the children’s activities may go ahead as planned.”

Mr Crabtree, whose family company runs Sunningdale care home in Manningham, the Raikes in Silsden and the Ladies in Waiting home-care service, said: “As much as we are in the elderly care business, we always support children where we can.”

Mandy Hirst, early years co-ordinator at Buttershaw Christian Family Centre, said: “It’s very kind of him. We are really grateful.

“We are hiring a bouncy castle for the Easter week, which means our activities can go ahead. The children were upset when the play equipment was stolen, but this has really cheered them up.”

West Yorkshire Police are investigating the theft of the play equipment, from a locked metal container at the back of the family centre overnight between Thursday, March 18, and Friday, March, 19.

Officers have carried out door-to-door inquiries and studied CCTV footage from the surrounding area.

They are appealing for anyone with information to call Bradford South Police on 0845 6060606.