Kayaks and paddleboards worth £4000 stolen from children’s enterprise

Outdoor activity equipment worth around £4000 has been stolen from a children’s enterprise in East Lothian.

The equipment was reported missing from a container belonging to non-profit organisation Venturing Out at Levanhall Links on Wednesday morning.

The group, who provide a variety of outdoor activities for disadvantaged families and children with additional support needs, said two kayaks, four paddleboards, and four paddles had been taken.

Venturing Out now hopes to replace the stolen equipment and has launched a fundraiser in an effort to secure funding.

Police have launched an investigation into the theft and have said enquiries are ongoing.

Antony Stone, operations director of Venturing out, said “We were gutted to discover the theft of this vital equipment today.

“We use it so regularly with many groups, but mainly with children with additional support needs. The SUP’s in particular are amazingly stable on the water for the young people and by far the most popular items of equipment that we have.

“With spring being just round the corner, it will be really difficult to replace these items.

“There has been an unprecedented demand for outdoor equipment during lockdown which, has left it really hard to get hold of equipment.

“We have been overwhelmed by the public response to this and appreciate every single one of the supportive comments and offerings that we have had.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 11.55 am on Wednesday 19 January, 2022, police received a report of a storage container having been broken into and a number of paddleboards and kayaks stolen at Levenhall Links Leisure Park, Musselburgh.”

“Enquiries are ongoing.”