HEARTLESS vandals have ruined some half-term fundraising fun.
While the Knave of Hearts stole some tarts, some jackanapes have stolen crocheted hearts set up around Lightwater Country Park.
The thieves have broken the hearts of both First Days Children’s Charity and the Barkham Hookers who crocheted them.
Twenty two Valentine themed displays were dotted around the park, as part of a low-cost fundraising trail for families to enjoy during half term.
Twenty have disappeared, and now the charity is appealing for them to be returned.
Ellie Gosling, event manager at First Days said: “We’re upset and disappointed by the loss of these beautiful hearts, and we feel bad for the Barkham Hookers who made them.
“They brought colour to the trail and made it special.”
The hearts had been secured to the trees with cable ties.
“It would have been quite hard work to remove them,” she continued.
“I put them up myself last Friday, so I know exactly where they should be, but when I went on Monday with my family, they had gone.
“Social media posts show that they were still there on Sunday, so it must have been Sunday night that they were taken.”
First Days supports children in the borough whose families are experiencing financial difficulties, and the event is a much needed fundraiser for the group.
“Fortunately, the posters with the secret letters to find haven’t been taken, so families can still enjoy the event,”she continued.
And the charity has already received an offer of support from Caversham’s Weller Centre.
Ellie explained: “They have very kindly offered to give us some knitted hearts, so we should be able to put some colour into the trail again shortly.”
Gaynor White, who leads the Barkham Hookers, said: “I just hope the displays are being loved and enjoyed by someone, and that they haven’t just been thrown away.
“Sadly, this is becoming a common factor all over the country.
“Post box toppers are also being stolen nationally – we had a couple of our own taken during the Coronation.
“There’s a community of people who seem to think they can have anything they like.
“It’s pretty soul destroying, as these decorations can take hours to make.
“It puts you off making more.
“I just hope that the people who took these hearts plan to use them for a Valentine event, or to give to their children.
“It’d be really sad if they are just in a bin somewhere.
“And it’s such a shame that they were taken at the start of half term, before families could enjoy them.”
If anyone knows where the hearts are, First Days would like to hear from them, on: 0118 921 9338.
For more information, visit: www.firstdays.net, Barkham Hookers’ Facebook page, and www.wellercentre.co.uk
