`Lowest of the low'
SARAH MOYES
HOW LOW: Eastern Bays Hospice commercial director Sue Taylor believes the donation boxes are easy targets for theft.
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COUNTER top donation boxes seem to be the latest target for "lowest of the low" criminals.
Three have been stolen from retailers in St Heliers Bay village in the past fortnight.
All were raising cash for Eastern Bays Hospice.
Security footage from Millar & Co St Heliers Bay Wines on Tamaki Drive shows a man taking a box on August 21.
It is believed another one went missing the same day from Blue Turtle Cafe in St Heliers Mall.
A third box from the St Heliers Dove House hospice shop was discovered missing the same week.
"I just think it's really sad," hospice commercial director Sue Taylor says.
"We have had to remove other boxes. We don't want to put anyone at risk."
The boxes are placed on counters in stores and cafes to collect loose change.
Millar & Co owner Jacqui Bersin says this is the first time one has been stolen since she and her husband opened the shop eight years ago.
"It's the lowest of the low," she says.
The boxes have contributed to services the hospice provides for those with life-threatening illnesses for 10 years.
It's only in the past 18 months that they have been hit by thieves.
The Glen Innes hospice shop has had its donation box stolen twice.
On one occasion the store was broken into during the night, causing hundreds of dollars of damage for about $12 in change.
Ms Taylor says hospice's Dove House on Riddell Rd also had its donation box stolen in the past few months.
"It's indicative of what's going on in today's society.
"How low can you go?" Ms Taylor says.
Hospice is now assessing how it can solve the problem.
The boxes raise only a few thousand dollars a year.
But every bit makes a difference in the lives of those who need the hospice.
"It's a simple way to raise awareness and funds," Ms Taylor says.
St Heliers Bay Village Association Mainstreet manager Wendy Caspersonn says it is "outraged" someone would steal the boxes.
Glen Innes sergeant Beth Houliston says police are aware of the stolen donation box from Millar & Co.
She urges anyone with information about the man in the security footage to contact police on 524-1910.
- © Fairfax NZ News
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