Two teenage motocross riders have been left heartbroken after callous thieves stole £1,500 of racing gear from their home.
Siblings Ben and Rachael Paterson had saved up their birthday and Christmas money over the years to buy the equipment, which was stolen from the van outside their home at Carron, near Aberlour, on Wednesday.
The bundle of items taken included racing kits, helmets, body armour, equipment bags and boots.
Now the pair are hoping that 13-year-old Rachael’s prized helmet may police track down the culprits.
The helmet is a 2015 limited edition green/blue Fox Flexair V2 Union helmet, and is extra small – making it even rarer.
The pair’s mother, Debbie Proctor, 36, said: “They stole everything apart from the bikes. They tried to get in the trailer, but they didn’t manage.
“The got all the kids’ stuff — they just emptied the kit from the van.
“Most of it, Ben bought with Christmas and birthday money and a wee side job he has.
“It’s just a shame. It’s all personalised and we are speaking about £1,500 or so worth of stuff.
“Because Rachael’s helmet is limited edition there’s only so many made and as her’s is extra-small, it is even rarer, so it should be harder for someone who has it to move it on.
“That’s the one we are pushing for. We can’t get Rachael another one of those helmets.”
It is believed the thieves used a van parked some distance from the house because they tried to get the bikes, before settling for the accessories.
Last night, Ms Proctor appealed to any walkers or early-morning drivers who may have seen a van or anyone acting suspiciously between the main A95 Keith to Aviemore road and Dailuaine Distillery early on Wednesday to contact police.
She added: “Any early walkers or workers passing must have seen the van sitting at the bottom of the road.
“I definitely think it was someone who knows we are into MotoX, which is worse.
“Everyone is so friendly when you go to the track. It’s a big family.
“It could have been someone who came down for a random shot at the track and spotted the van, but it’s hard. You run through who it could have been, but it’s likely to be someone we know.
“It’s the kids more than anything though. It is like they have lost everything they had. It’s just not going to be the same.”