Global bloc of support to help Lego fan rebuild stolen collection

LEGO enthusiasts from around the world have stepped in to help one of their own after burglars stole a young Frenchman’s giant Lego collection that had taken him 14 years to build up.

Fans of Lego set up an online fundraising page that within hours had gathered thousands of euros when they learned of Louis’ distress after he posted a tearful video on Youtube.

He said that when thieves broke into his home in the Paris suburbs they ignored computers, cameras, and watches but emptied his “Lego room”, housing a collection of tens of thousands of Lego pieces worth an estimated €16,000 (£14,000).

“I cried all night. Beyond the financial loss, it is my entire childhood that is gone,” he said on his Youtube channel where under the name Republicattak he had built up a mass following with videos of his elaborate Lego structures, many with a Star Wars theme.

“Most of my collection stolen, my last creation which took me 10 months that I was about to finish, destroyed; after 14 years of collection and eight years of Youtube, I’m just ending it. Bye,” he added.

The 20-year-old’s video clocked up nearly 600,000 views in two days and led a fellow Lego enthusiast to set up a fundraising campaign to raise money to help him rebuild his collection.

The Gofundme campaign, launched on Saturday, reached its $1,000 (£760) goal in less than two hours, and by yesterday it had raised more than $16,000 (£12,200), with many of the donors adding words of encouragement.

“The people who did this are monsters, you’re a good dude and you should keep up your hobby. Don’t let these people ruin your fun!” wrote one donor, who gave his name as Kurtis Alderton.