Dan Walker's call for help answered after Sheffield Mi Amigo memorial tools stolen

TV presenter Dan Walker has revealed a Sheffield man has been left ‘devastated’ after his Mi Amigo memorial tools were stolen.

Tony Foulds, known for maintaining the Mi Amigo war memorial in Endcliffe Park, was introduced to the nation by Dan Walker in 2019 following a chance encounter in the park when the former BBC Breakfast presenter was walking his dog.

Mr Walker interviewed Tony on the show which resulted in him being met with an outpouring of love and support from people across the world who learned that he had quietly been lovingly and painstakingly tending to the memorial for decades.

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In a post shared on social media on Wednesday (July 10), the journalist said that Tony had been left ‘devastated’ after the tools he used to tend to the memorial, including a leaf blower and batteries, had been stolen from the park.

The post, shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, alongside an image of Tony standing at the memorial, reads: “Just spoken to Tony. He is devastated that someone has stolen his leaf blower, batteries and tools from the park. I’ve managed to calm him down but if anyone has any information or knows anything… he just wants them back so he can carry on looking after the memorial.”

The post was met from an outpouring of support from locals and businesses offering to help. DIY store Wickes were one of the first to offer their support, replying: “We are so sorry to hear someone stole Tony's Leaf Blower. We will happily provide him with a brand new one through our Community Programme so he can continue taking great care of the memorial.”

@livesurfcams wrote: “I’m happy to contribute, lovely story and a proper old gent , a dying breed quality people like that , I’m sure many would help fund replacements,” and

@HumphreyGraeme tweeted: “Words fail me . So sad. Tony is a legend, a lovely human being.”

@kondratiuk5 said: “Who would do this ? There really are some bad people around, scumbags.”

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Almost immediately after the post was shared online, a GoFundMe page was set up to help raise the funds needed to replace the tools. The page, titled ‘Tools for Tony’, which has been set up by Patrick McDonough, has already raised £1,085 of the £900 target at the time of writing.

Mr Walker later took to X to say that the outpouring of support had provided Tony with a “much needed lift” following the devastating discovery.

Tony attracted attention from across the globe when Dan Walker revealed his story to the world. Tony was just eight years old and playing with other children when he witnessed the badly damaged B-17 Flying Fortress, known as Mi Amigo, crash into Endcliffe Park in 1944 - killing all ten men on board.

The pilot 1st Lieutenant John G steered his damaged craft away from a group of children, causing him to crash in a hilly area, rather than the flat park.

Tony has visited the scene of the crash almost every single day since 1953 and takes pride in preserving the park’s Mi Amigo war memorial - something which he has done for decades. He previously said he will tend to the memorial for “as long as he is alive”, and feels guilty that the men on board may have survived, had the children not been in the park.

Mr Walker helped air Tony’s story, prompting a memorial flypast over the park which was watched by thousands. The story, and Tony’s dedication, earned him a star of Sheffield’s Walk of Fame in the city centre.