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Kaylene Lucas - Source: Fairfax
Child cancer fundraisers are devastated a charity bucket was stolen from a car trapped in the Smiths City car park destroyed in the Christchurch earthquake.
Kayelene Lucas, of Kaiapoi, said the bright blue bucket, plastered with Child Cancer Foundation labels, had about $1000 collected during an annual "Coast to Post" charity bike ride organised by New Zealand Post staff.
The group of 35 New Zealand Post cyclists returned from the three-day ride from Greymouth to Christchurch on the Sunday before the February earthquake.
Lucas had taken the donation bucket to work intending to bank it during her lunch break at 1pm and hid it in her car, along with three life-sized pink panthers that had accompanied cyclists since the first ride 24 years ago.
When Lucas retrieved her car she was upset to find the bucket, two pink panthers and her belongings had been stolen.
One pink panther was squashed under a seat and was only retrieved after a contractor removed the car roof, hoping to find the bucket, she said.
"I was totally gutted. I felt sick because it was my responsibility. The money was in my care to look after and that money was people's donations."
Part of the money donated had been raised by children from Blaketown Primary School, in Greymouth, who had organised a coin trail and raised about $400, she said.
"I got so angry knowing someone would take [the money] knowing it was for child cancer. I have a personal interest in it - my son was diagnosed with cancer when he was eight and I know what these kids go through. What the Child Cancer Foundation does for these children and their families is amazing."
Detective Paul Johannsen said police wanted to hear from anyone with information. "The low-lifes that have done this probably don't realise how much pain and sorrow they have caused."
The NZ Post workers had offered to pay the money out of their own pockets to ensure the Child Cancer Foundation did not suffer further, he said.
The foundation was already suffering after its premises were damaged in the earthquake. Some patients had also been sent to Starship children's hospital for their treatment.
Anyone with information should contact Johannsen on (03) 363-7400.
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