A Dundee mum who set up Freya’s Wish in honour of her daughter says she is heartbroken after three donations tins went missing.
Brooke Reid set up social initiative Freya’s Wish in memory of her daughter Freya Skene after she died in a tragic river accident in Highland Perthshire last July.
Brooke aims to help support low-income families in making memories together by hosting events like gala days and providing clothes and toys for those who need them.
But she has been left in shock after three charity tins went missing from the organisation’s premises on Sunday, following a ‘giving day’.
She said: “It’s heartbreaking to be honest.
“We work so hard – none of us get paid to do what we do and for people to just steal from us is awful.
“I’m jobless because I’m grieving and have been doing Freya’s wish voluntary to bring hope and love back to the community to help me through my grieving process.”
Brooke says she is unsure if there was any money in the tins and hopes that someone took them home mistakenly.
‘We may have to chain up our tins’
She sad: “I just hope they don’t get used to collect in money and it was a genuine mistake but these have our logo on them.”
The organisation now plans to take extra precautions when holding future events.
Brooke said: “Our next giving day is September 19 and we are hoping to have enough volunteers so this doesn’t happen again, or even chains to chain up our tins.
“I just never thought we would have to do such a thing.
“From this is experience we are installing a CCTV system, which is very sad, and I think – depending on how many volunteers we have – there will only be a few people allowed in at a time from now on so we can all keep an eye and support people if they need.”
‘We have worked so hard’
She added: “Our premises are a beautiful place.
“We have worked so hard to achieve for [people] to come along, feel welcome and get the things they need, and enjoy our events in memory of my beautiful daughter.
“We give so much and go above and beyond for people so I’m disheartened that three of our tins went missing.”