Moray toddlers who were left heartbroken when thieves made off with their treasured tent are celebrating after a fundraising drive secured them a replacement.
Youngsters at the Stramash children’s charity, which specialises in outdoor learning, were inconsolable last month when crooks stole their 10ft canvas teepee worth more than £2,000.
Nursery staff said it had been unpegged and removed from a field at the back of the children’s base at Spynie Hall, outside Elgin.
Despite police launching an investigation into the theft, charity leaders said they thought it unlikely the tent would ever be returned.
They launched an online appeal, asking residents to help cover the costs of a new teepee.
Yesterday, Stramash revealed that the campaign had been a success – and that angry parents had led donations in an effort to cheer up their crestfallen children.
Team leader Amy Stuart said: “We have some really generous families, and the parents were huge supporters of our appeal.
“They just want the best experience for their children, and they know how upsetting it was when the tent was taken.
“The fundraiser actually collected enough to buy two new tents, both of which are lighter and easier to transport than the old one.
“That way, we won’t have to leave either of them out in the open unattended for any space of time, and that will reduce the risk of them being stolen again.”
The new tents have been purchased and are expected to arrive at the Stramash base this week, and project leaders will put them to use “as soon as possible”.
The stolen shelter, which was used as a base of operations for much of the nursery group’s activities, vanished between 10pm on Thursday, June 9, and 7.45am the following morning.
The charity said the nursery’s young patrons – aged between two and five – had “grown attached” to the tent, which they spent much of their time in.
The nursery group regularly took the teepee on outings to rural spots across Moray, and used it as a mobile classroom.
Police yesterday confirmed that investigations into the theft were still ongoing.
