11:28am Tuesday 20th September 2011
By Adam Binnie
Seemingly worthless banners advertising a charity fun-run taking place this weekend have been stolen.
The signs, which have little to no resale or recycling value, were purchased by the Lynda Jackson Macmillan Centre (LJMC) for £125 each last year, to advertise the annual Moor Park 10k fundraising event.
Every runner taking part collects money for the centre, based in Mount Vernon Cancer Centre, and so far £300,000 has been raised.
This money goes provides the support and information for people affected by cancer, including a drop-in centre, counselling, complementary therapies and benefits advice.
Mr Hambleton said: “This is a big financial loss to the Lynda Jackson Macmillan Centre.
“I was more than a little bit miffed that people are out there causing us a future outlay of money and taking away from the impact the event has on the community.
“It's heartless, there's no recycling value for them so I don't understand why somebody would take it.”
The banners were situated by Rickmansworth Golf Club, in Moor Lane, and outside the Highwayman Pub in Prestwick Road, South Oxhey.
On Friday race director John Hambleton found that banners in Moor Lane had been removed, and then on Monday that the one outside the pub had also been taken.
Mr Hambleton added: “We haven't had the time or the money to replace the banners so we've had to go without. Had they been in place we would have expect more entries by now.
“This has been reported to Three Rivers District Council and they have confirmed that they have not removed the banners.”
Last year was the tenth anniversary of the annual 6.2 mile foot race, held in Merchant Taylors’ School.
Anyone with information of where the banners may be can telephone John Hambleton can telephone 07779 458285.
Full event info on www.moorpark10k.org.uk and entries will be taken on the day.
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