A businesswoman who helped raise more than £20,000 for Withernsea RNLI says she is “absolutely gutted” after thieves stole a collection box and a number of unclaimed raffle prizes in the early hours of this morning.
Teresa Mansell, owner of Hair Taylor in Queen Street, who organised the hugely successful community raffle in support of the town’s RNLI lifeboat station, said the theft happened at the salon around 3.15am-3.20am on Easter Monday.
She said two young males were believed to have stolen the RNLI collection box, along with several unclaimed raffle prizes and a large white plush bunny. CCTV caught them running down Victoria Avenue at 3.23am.
The raffle money itself had already been handed over to the RNLI.
Teresa said: “I’m absolutely gutted to say after such amazing community support at around 3.15am-3.20am this morning two young males stole the RNLI collection box, several unclaimed raffle prizes and a large white bunny teddy.
“The raffle money has already been donated.”
She is now appealing for anyone with CCTV footage from the Victoria Avenue area around that time to come forward.
She has also urged anyone who may have information about the missing items to contact police.
Among the items believed to have been taken were bottles of spirits as well as the RNLI collection box.
Teresa added: “If you have more CCTV from Victoria Avenue around this time, or have a large rabbit, bottles of whisky, gin, etc and an RNLI collection box appear in your house, please do the right thing and get in touch.
“Police have been informed and been out.”
The theft comes just weeks after the town rallied behind Teresa’s fundraiser, which raised more than £20,000 for Withernsea RNLI following the tragic events on the seafront in January.
The Gazette has approached Humberside Police for comment.