Hi Guys
I work for a Geelong based charity that has had surfing equipment stolen last week, so if any of you hear or see any cheap gear going around (especially branded) and it raises your suspicions then please contact the police:
MEDIA ALERT - More than $47,000 of equipment stolen from Geelong disability service provider Friday, 19 April, 2013
Karingal participants, families and staff have been left shocked and devastated after discovering this morning that all equipment to run its adventure program for people with a disability, had been stolen overnight.
Two trailers filled with everything from mountain bikes and surf boards to wet suits and rock climbing equipment has been stolen from Karingal's McKillop Street day service building. The trailers were locked behind a gate and staff arrived at work this morning to find the bolt cut and the two trailers with all equipment inside gone.
The equipment is used to give opportunities for 40 people with a disability each week to set goals and build confidence by doing outdoor activities as part of the Karingal Adventure Based Learning Experience (KABLE) including hiking, mountain biking, learning to surf and other activities.
Karingal Chief Executive Officer Daryl Starkey said the theft of the equipment, valued at an estimated $47,000, had forced the program to shut down.
"We are shocked and devastated that this has happened. All the equipment for that program was in those two trailers. Without it, those outdoor activities for our participants cannot go ahead," Mr Starkey said.
"Now 40 people with a disability each week will not be able to set and achieve their goals through this program as it has been forced to shut down."
Geelong Police have been informed and are investigating the incident which occurred sometime during Thursday night. The equipment was secured in two white covered box trailers which were padlocked and behind locked gates. Two cars would have been needed to take the trailers.
"KABLE has been running for more than a decade and its foundation is building people's confidence through outdoor experiences. The thieves have driven away with everything the staff have worked for and built up over the years with much of the equipment brought with grants and some has also been donated.
"Our participants will be very upset as this is a program so many people enjoy and get so much out of.
"Much of the equipment has the Karingal logo on it - we call on anyone who sees the trailers or any equipment they think may have been stolen, to contact the police."
Bloody Barstards... I live in Werribee and work in schools in the west there is hardly any goverment grants let alone donations for this stuff. I have forwarded this onto a couple of websites I hope it helps. Karma will get this buggers...
Hey Mate,
Maybe you could contact today tonite or a similar news show and sell this story to them, use the coverage to try to track down the trailers and gear, even drum up more sponsorship etc..
Good Luck..
Ill pledge $500 to get things going. Come on seabreeze. 100 people at $500 and we are there. Lets get behind it.
I'll put in $50. Just provide the details and I'm in.
Oh and big respect AGK, top stuff mate. 
Guys, you totally rock, thats real quality.
I will chat with the finance guys tomorrow and see if we can get a donation account number.
Very, very cool.
Thank you.
Hi guys
For all that want to donate you can donate through the following site:http://www.karingal.org.au/donate/
Where it says 'company' please put down 'Seabreeze donation' so we can track them and make sure they go direct to KABLE.
I will post an update in a week or so.
Thanks again for your support guys, any ammount makes a difference.
Chris
Done. Not as much as some of the great guys above, but seriously if every seabreezer donated whatever they could afford between $5 and $100, these guys would be back in business in no time.
Done too - there are always charities looking for money but this would have to be an area close to our hearts
Yep all done. Guys pretty easy to follow and get done. Good luck mate and well done on your service to these people and the community as a whole. If ya need a hole dug to throw them wa$nkers in (oh no they didn't have a good relationship with their family poor sods) I got a shovel ready. No excuses for that bull but even if you do catch them the system will just give them a slap on the wrist. Farqers.
But onto better things good luck and you must bring a lot of joy to those dealt a hard hand in life, everyone should enjoy the water. Even those guys who stole their stuff but with a 100kg dead weight ties to their bloody necks. Crap there I go again. Better go.
You guys obviously do great work. Happy to help out and throw a few bucks in the right direction. Now lets hope the scum get caught. Agree if we all put something small in we'll have you guys back on the water.
Hey Jung, how are you going with this mate. I think you could easily go to the media, post the storey and get the support, my bro is in media and could help.
I would throw some coin in the hat but I think we could raise the bucks through the general community outside of seabreeze.
Me to. But there is a valid argument for extending the sources for contribution. The media with all its bullsh1t can be your biggest friend. Today tonight would froth over a story like this. They would have corny reenactments and everything! Spooky sinister music I can see it now!
Take it to Reddit too, tell the story with a few pics in r/australia & r/melbourne etc. Probably pick up quite a few more willing to help.
Hi all
What can I say, you guys rock!!!
So far Seabreezers have raised $1,270.00 and I can tell you that KABLE are going to make sure that every cent is used to the maximum in purchasing replacement equipment.
I am discussing publicising this with Karingals PR guru's and will get back to you all soon.
Laurie if you can donate some Seabreeze stickers for a photo op I would appreciate it (please PM me).
Thanks guys, this is going to make a HUGE difference
Chris
That really sucks, but I reckon you should have some insurance, **** happens.
Ill throw in a hundred for sure
Dave
Done my bit, would be great to see this post stay on top of the page for a little while.
