Kind fellow workers have clubbed together to bring back some Christmas magic to a family whose Christmas presents were stolen in a burglary

Family and friends were visiting Denise Currie at Medway Maritime Hospital after she’d just given birth to a baby girl, Tayah.

Fewer than 10 hours after she was born, thieves broke in to the family home in Randolph Road, Gillingham, and stole all the presents.

There has been some good news for the family.

Colleagues of Denise's partner Dave Salerno at London Southeastern trains had a collection and raised more than £300.

Dave said: "I could not believe it. I broke down when they told me. One colleague of mine in particular, Kevin Snapes, organised the collection. They have all been brilliant."

Police have located two of the stolen presents and returned them.

Dave and his 22-month-old daughter Skye discovered the break-in when they were taken home from the hospital by Denise’s mum, Beverley.

Beverley said: “My husband and I had just dropped Dave and Skye home when five minutes later we got a phone call from Dave saying could we come back as they’d been burgled.

“The back door had been kicked in. The presents which were in a big bag downstairs were gone and all the children’ presents in the upstairs back bedroom had gone – there were just a couple left with the paper ripped off them.

“There was about £500 of presents. They even took birthday presents and cards for Denise’s little brother’s birthday which was on Friday.

“We knew the baby was going to be delivered by c-section on December 17, so we’d been out shopping and bought everything, wrapped them and put them upstairs ready so we didn’t have to do anything this week.

“I’m so angry and very upset, it’s such a shock. It’s awful. We’re trying to be happy with the baby and everything but it’s just unbelievable. I just can’t believe people would do that. If they had taken the TV or something it would be much more bearable than the children’s Christmas presents. They didn’t take anything else.”

Denise said: “I’m trying not to cry all the time. It’s not about the money it’s what they (the presents) stood for.”

A spokesman for Medway Police said:"We would urge people to take measures to prevent similar incidents; always lock doors and windows and avoid leaving presents or high value items where they can easily be seen.

"Also, dispose of packaging careful so as not to advertise your property to would be thieves and don't open your door to unexpected callers."