CBeebies ’ Sarah-Jane Honeywell might have had the worst birthday ever as a stage school she helped set up for disadvantaged children was trashed by burglars and invaded by drug-users.
The West End star was just preparing to celebrate her special day on 5th January when she was told that the school she founded to help talented children had been ransacked by intruders.
The presenter, 49 - who was fired from the children’s TV channel after posing topless during a PETA campaign - was given the devastating news of the break-in the night before her birthday.
Taking to Twitter, she posted a selfie among the wreckage, writing: “So sadly this was my birthday today but I’ve already lost one career …. I definitely won’t let this beat me.”
The mum of two and her husband Ayden Callaghan now live in Lincoln and offer their services for free to children from all backgrounds to help them on their way to a career in performing arts.
The Curious Theatre School in Lincoln opened in September 2019 and has 90 pupils that the couple teach, but is now temporarily closed while parents raise funds for repairs.
A crowdfunding page has so far raised £2,847 towards its £5,000 target. Sarah has publicly thanked those who donated and revealed her heartache behind the callous break-in, to which police were alerted around 1pm on Wednesday, January 4.
She said: “They took everything, set fire to things and left needles everywhere. There was also some blood upstairs, everything was just ransacked. There is even some graffiti just to top it all off.
"They've taken anything of value plus little things like tiaras we use for costumes. There's £35,000 worth of costumes that are utterly trashed.
“We try to make the kids' dreams come true as much as possible which is why it's particularly gutting.
“Nobody has been hurt but it's just really sad for them. We certainly won't be open next week which is when we were due to open, but hopefully we'll be open the week after.
"The police, the local community and the landlord have just been amazing. In that way, you go from seeing the worst parts of human nature to the very best of human nature."
Sarah's husband Ayden added: "We are absolutely devastated, heartbroken.
“I still can’t believe what has happened and what they have done. It feels like a tough road back but we will be back. Any and all support will be greatly welcomed."
Lincolnshire Police said of the ordeal: "We received a call at 12.52pm on 4 January with a report of a burglary taking place at a commercial property at Clasketgate, Lincoln.
“Officers arrived swiftly on scene and arrested a 28-year-old man on suspicion of commercial burglary. He was later released on bail, and the investigation continues."
