Guides devastated by break-in

Ōrewa Guides want their stolen tents and camping gear returned.

A shed at the back of the Ōrewa Guide den has been broken into and all of the Guides’ camping gear stolen.

Stolen items include three large Coleman tents worth around $1000 each, five smaller Kathmandu Retreat30 tents worth around $200 each, multiple gas cookers and four 40litre tubs filled with all of the group’s pots, pans and cooking utensils.

Guides unit team leader Clare Grimwood says it took years of fundraising to purchase the camping items. Most of the money came from local sales of Girl Guide biscuits. 

“Devastated doesn’t even begin to describe the feeling,” she says.

The burglary at the den, 224 Centreway Rd, Ōrewa, was discovered on the morning of Saturday, November 2. The shed, which will now not be used to store anything of value, has had its lock replaced since the break-in, by Gary’s Garden Sheds. 

All the tents have either Ōrewa Guides or Ōrewa Rangers written on them and Clare says she hopes people will keep an eye out for them when camping over summer.

Meanwhile, with insurance details still being processed by Guides Christchurch head office, it is unclear as yet what will be replaced and when.

“The Rangers were hoping to go camping on November 23, but that is not likely to happen,” Clare says.

To report information regarding the burglary, contact Ōrewa police.