The ladies at Highland Park Sewing Group were absolutely distraught when they discovered that their storage shed at the Fencibles Football Club was broken into recently.
The miscreants not only stole Christmas hampers but also spread faeces on the materials.
Bev Telfer, co-ordinator of the sewing group says, “These unspeakable people ransacked our shed and spread faeces through our materials and containers. They also stole suitcases and three Christmas Hampers which we put together out of our own money to raffle with the takings going to the Howick Ambulance.”
Bev says that the teddies and quilt are all meticulously hand made by the group of 25 women who have for the past 23 years have voluntarily made clothes for Kidz First and charities for the underprivileged and teddies for the ambulances.
The Highland Park Sewing Group meets every Thursday from 9.30am-1pm and the Friendly Bear Makers meets every Friday morning 9.30am to 11.30am in the hall behind the Howick Ambulance Station, 590 Pakuranga Highway.
“Please help us catch these mongrels!” says Bev.
“With the generosity of a few we will re-make baskets and the raffle will still be run.”
If you have seen them or other items in the photos please contact Bev on 0212923901. The Police ref no is 201110/9628.
The Times got a huge response when we posted the story on the Times Online Facebook page.
The community was shocked, appalled and keen to reach out to the Highland Park Sewing Group to help.
People strongly condemned it: “I’m absolutely astounded that people this disgusting exist. I hope things are retrieved.” “How utterly pathetic!” “Find out who they are and smear poo in their mouths.”
To countless wanting to help. People showed true generosity of spirit: “I would like to donate a full hamper. If someone can get in touch with me that would be great.”
“How can we help? Could we donate to the group somehow? Can you, as another person suggested, set up a Givealittle page? There seems to be a lot of people like me who want to give to this group. I also have quilting material I could donate,”
“Is there any way we can donate so they can replace some of their resources?”
Cr Sharon Stewart also responded saying: “Very disappointed that anyone could do something like this. I have been working with the group to find a new place to store the gear. 15 years ago I helped them get this cupboard to store what they use to make clothes and teddies for premature babies and little ones having to stay in hospital. When I heard about this I popped down to see if I could help. If you see the ladies selling raffles please buy one the money goes to St John’s. A big thank you to the husbands that were also helping to remove the soiled clothing. It was disgusting! If you could see what they did you would feel sick!”
