A grieving couple have thanked readers for their generosity after receiving offers to help replace a cross stolen from their baby son’s grave.

Stephanie Smith and Alex Taylor-Manifold were still getting over the loss of their baby Joshua, who was stillborn on December 17 last year, when heartless thieves stole the cross marking his place at Macclesfield Cemetery.

The story went viral after appearing in last week’s Express, reaching almost 2,000 people on our Facebook page – including two Macclesfield businesses who have stepped up to help the devastated couple.

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The wooden cross has already been replaced thanks to a funeral director and the couple have received offers of £100 towards a permanent headstone.

Ruth Jones, of Cooperative Funeralcare in Macclesfield, has replaced the wooden cross free of charge, and businessman Mark Longden, who employs Stephanie’s sister, Sam Smith, has pledged £100 towards a permanent headstone.

Stephanie, 21, who lives with Alex, 19, on Brooke Street, said: “Alex and I were heartbroken when we discovered the cross had been taken but the support of the local community is really comforting.

“We never expected to get so much support. The fact that people are offering to help us get Joshua a permanent headstone is really touching.”

She added: “We would like to say thank you to everyone, especially Ruth, Mark and Sam.”

Ruth said: “It must be so upsetting for the family to find that something that has been placed on their baby's grave has been taken.

“We feel so sorry for the family and decided replacing the cross was something we could do to help.”

Mark is now calling for other businesses to support his appeal to buy the couple a permanent headstone and has already won the support of Macclesfield MP David Rutley.

Mark, who runs Extreme Security on Hurdsfield Road with Ady Shaw, said: “As soon as I heard about it I thought ‘we’re going to do something about this’. It’s sickening that someone could do this.

“If everyone on Facebook donated £1 then we’d have enough for a new headstone, and there must be other businesses out there who can support this and give this family our support.”

MP David Rutley described the theft as ‘sickening’. He said: “My heart goes out to Stephanie and Alex in this sad situation. It’s heartening to see so many local people show their support at this difficult time.”

Anyone wishing to donate towards a new headstone should contact the Express on 0161 211 2184.