Relay for Life FM 95.1 team members Mia McCoustra, 4, Jesse Jackson-Randle, 13, Kyla McCoustra, 6, and Jayden McCoustra, 9, hope police can identify the heartless thief who stole their fundraising charity bucket. Picture: Anthony Stipo
OUTRAGED members of a Relay for Life team have called for cold-hearted thieves to be named and shamed after one of their fundraising tins was stolen and another was emptied of cash.
Members of relay team FM 95.1 discovered on Saturday that one of their buckets had been stolen from the Top Town Mobil, while the money had been taken out of one at Broomes Fruit and Vegetables.
Team leader Terri Robinson said she was shocked and angry that anyone would steal from charity.
"There is nothing lower than stealing from charity," she said.
"We are collecting this money for such a good cause.
"I had two aunties die from breast cancer so I'm doing relay in memory of them. Our whole team has been touched by cancer in some way.
Ms Robinson said she hoped CCTV footage of the incident would give the police some idea of who had stolen the money.
"This is a real downer for the whole team," she said.
"It's just heartless and we can't believe people would stoop so low.
"I just hope they were smiling for the camera when they did it."
The small, white plastic bucket bearing the FM 95.1 team name was stolen some time between February 27 and March 9. It is not known when the other was emptied.
Team member Edward Randle said the theft had only made them more determined to do their bit for the cancer fund raising event, which will be held on March 23 and 24.
"At the service station they said they thought a young person wearing a Relay for Life shirt came in and picked it up," Mr Randle said.
"We will have to wait for the CCTV footage to see for sure.
"To have this happen just makes us all more determined to try and make up for what was taken. Our team has got children in it willing to do their bit for charity. It's a disgrace to think anyone would do this kind of thing.
"I hope we can name and shame whoever did this."
Griffith Police will review CCTV footage in a bid to identify who took the charity collection tin.
Inspector Craig Thorp said it could be a slow process, with 10 days of footage to check.
However anyone with information should call Griffith Police on 6969 4299.
