LOCAL not-for-profit organisation Venturing Out has been the victim of a vicious break-in as £4,000 worth of kayaks and paddleboards were stolen.
The group, which provides a variety of outdoor activities, including for many disadvantaged families and children with additional support needs, had its container at Levenhall Links broken into yesterday morning and has lost many key pieces of equipment.
Antony Stone, operations director of Venturing Out, said: “I went down there and all of the paddleboards and two kayaks were missing, and four paddles as well.”
“The paddleboards were actually funded by East Lothian Council for us to use with children with additional support needs.”
The organisation now faces a difficult period as it looks to fund replacement equipment and continue its community work.
Mr Stone said: “We’re likely to need to fundraise to get some more money to cover them.”
“The equipment is not insured because as an organisation we actually own a lot of equipment for lots of different activities and the cost of insuring it is astronomical.”
The incident has garnered considerable attention online, including that of Baroness Ruth Davidson, former leader of the Scottish Conservatives.
On Twitter she said: “Pretty c****y to steal equipment used to help kids with additional needs enjoy the great outdoors.
"If anyone knows who took them, or sees them being used, they can call Police Scotland's non emergency number on 101"
Pretty cr*ppy to steal equipment used to help kids with additional needs enjoy the great outdoors. If anyone knows who took them, or sees them being used, they can call Police Scotland's non emergency number on 101. https://t.co/KwZqA0QZ28
— Ruth Davidson (@RuthDavidsonPC) January 19, 2022
Many residents have echoed this message online, showing support and willingness to donate to future fundraisers.
Police Scotland has announced that enquiries are ongoing.
A spokesperson said: “Around 11.55 am on Wednesday, January 19, police received a report of a storage container having been broken into and a number of paddleboards and kayaks stolen at Levenhall Links Leisure Park, Musselburgh."
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