Kids fed up with thefts
The kids at Barnardos Early Learning Centre in Cannons Creek can’t wait for their replacement couch so they can snuggle with their favourite books again.
The centre has been burgled three times in the past 12 months, the latest incident occurred over the weekend of October 27. Head teacher Keryn Doyle says the teachers were ‘‘really, really bummed out’’ to arrive on October 29 to find their outdoor couch gone.
‘‘ They must have been really strong to heave that over our fence, they must realise they’re stealing from this community’s kids.’’
The centre is being steadily revived, Ms Doyle says, and having break-ins, and items stolen is gutting. Money to replace these things comes from an ‘‘ extremely tight’’ budget.
She has contacted media not because they want their couch replaced – another one has already been donated – but to alert the community and send out a message of ‘‘please stop’’ to the thieves.
‘‘We’re a community-based organisation and we want these children to have the best things that we can afford. But families around here are struggling and we can’t expect them to chip in and help us replace stuff that is stolen.
‘‘Everyone’s cross about the couch, that was somewhere the kids could sit and snuggle and read, and they’re aware that someone, probably from nearby, is stealing from them.’’
Ms Doyle says their site, down a long driveway off Driver Cres, makes them a plum target. While Armourgard do check the building regularly over the weekend, it can’t be watched 24/ 7 and they can’t afford extra security measures.
‘‘We don’t want to put up bigger fencing or barbed wire, it’s a place for children, not a prison.’’