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Claims men stole money from fountain in Redditch

Credit: News Team

Police say they're looking into claims two men took money from a fountain destined for sick children in Redditch.

Officers were shown these pictures taken by a member of the public on Monday. The police say no crime has been reported to them as the fountain is not specifically for charity.

Locals say money is thrown into the fountain and once a year it is removed by the council and given to the nearby Acorn's Children's Hospice to help terminally ill children.

Credit: News Team

Exotic animals in Worcestershire in need of a new home

A woman from Worcester is struggling to find a new home for her family and 40 exotic animals.

Lynda Blake, who takes her meerkats and raccoons to the Acorns Children's Hospice, says she fears that she may be forced to stop as she has to move from her rented house by April 1.

Lynda runs Wildlife Furry Exotics in Fernhill Heath, Worcestershire, with her husband Drew Blake.

The couple are now looking for a new home after the landlord of their rented house died.

They currently have a range of animals including skunks, sugar gliders, raccoons, raccoon dogs, meerkats, a coatimundi, a genet and a kinkajou.

Lynda with one of her meerkats Credit: ITV News Central
Raccoon Credit: ITV News Central
Meerkat Credit: ITV News Central

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Hundreds of Santas run in Birmingham for charity

Santas warming up to run from Brindley Place Credit: James FX - Twitter

The streets turned red today in Birmingham City Centre, as hundreds of people took part in a fun run dressed as Father Christmas.

The charity race began and ended in Brindley Place, where runners started their 5km at 11am, and walkers lined up at the start line at 12pm to complete their 2km stroll.

The charity event was organised by Acorns Children's Hospice Trust, who are raising money this Christmas for local children with life limiting or life threatening conditions.

Another event is organised for tomorrow (Sunday December 9), where the Santas will leave and return to the Walsall Arboretum.

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