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Mystery man dashes into hospital to leave bulging bag of cash
WHEN a man rushed into a hospital reception, left a mysterious brown paper bag on the front desk and headed for the exit without stopping to explain, staff could be forgiven for being nervous about its possible contents.
But the “suspect package” – at first feared to potentially be a bomb – turned out to be something far less terrifying.
Rather than explosives, the bulging bag left at Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital in Bloomsbury was stuffed with thousands of pounds in banknotes, which officials later confirmed amounted to a five-figure sum.
Police said last night (Wednesday) they are investigating the source of the money, but, with investigators puzzled about who may be behind the sudden donation, the cash looks set to provide a welcome – if unexpected – boost to the hospital’s charity account.
The mystery man has only been described as “well-dressed”. The drop was made on the Friday before Christmas.
Although Great Ormond Street accountants are cautious about revealing the total, insiders suggested the haul could be more than £20,000.
Witnesses said the discovery of the package had caused “a degree of panic” at the time, but the worry turned to relief when staff realised what was inside.
One source said: “I don’t think anybody could believe what was happening. There wasn’t a bank robbery going on around the corner, so it is assumed that – although waiting times aren’t that bad – it was just a donor who wanted to be in and out as quickly as possible.”
The hospital is now waiting for clearance before banking the money.
A hospital spokesman said: “The hospital did receive a five-figure donation this Christmas, in cash, from a well-dressed donor who left it at main reception without speaking to any member of staff. The money was left in a stout paper bag, and he walked off. Staff were alert to the possibility of the package being a bomb, but verified it was not dangerous through normal procedure.
“Obviously a substantial anonymous cash donation requires a number of checks to be made before it is accepted and these are under way. All donations are gratefully received. The hospital’s charity needs to raise £50 million each year to rebuild two major hospital buildings, support world-class research, support children and their families and purchase equipment.”
A police spokesman said: “We can confirm that a quantity of cash was brought into Holborn police station. Camden Police’s Payback Unit, which specialises in financial investigation, are making enquiries to establish the origins of the money.” |
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