WATCH: 'Christmas is saved' for North Belfast mum following burglary

By David Hunter

A mother of four from north Belfast says 'Christmas is saved' after a generous donation from a local businessman. 

Mairead McIlkenny spoke to QRadio News on Thursday after her home was burgled earlier this week. 

Heartless thieves stole her children's Christmas presents including bikes, clothes and tablet computers.

The items taken from the house on Kerrera Street sometime overnight on Monday 18th December into the early hours of Tuesday.

At the time Mairead thought the thieves targeted the home when she was out, after seeing on Facebook that she'd be visiting a friend. 

"They've been around my house and in through all my private stuff, it's just a bad feeling" she said.

"I just kept trying to buy things for them and really spoil them. I wanted this year to be really, really, really fantastic because we were all going to be together."

After speaking to QRadio News, a generous businessman came forward and said he wanted to help. 

The man, who wishes to remain anonymous, said he was 'heartbroken' when he heard Mairead speaking, and felt he had to help.

QRadio got in touch with both parties and arranged for Mairead to speak to the donor by phone. "I can't thank you enough! My kids are going to be so happy, you have no idea how much stress you've lifted off my shoulders" she told the man. 

Speaking a short time later she said "What he's done is actually just made Christmas for us, He's lifted the pressure off my shoulders and now I don't have to worry no more. I just can't thank him enough."

"He wanted to remain anonymous but I know he'll be listening, and I want to thank him very, very much. It's just a reminder that there's good people in the world."