Gardener Tom Hogg said he was saddened by the loss and wanted to warn other people after his garden day was spoilt when the cash and a camera, worth about $2000, was stolen from inside the utility of Amanda’s father, Barry Young.
‘They jemmied a door open when the money had been locked in the car and Barry came back to help me clean up,’ Mr Hogg said.
‘It is a salient warning for all charities, who count the money at the end of the day, to make sure you do it out of the public’s eye.’
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READ NOWOn October 1, the Reporter published an article on page 1 about the open garden event and quoted Mr Hogg’s previous fundraising efforts of $125,000 over 12 years for various charities.
As well as attracting extra viewers to his garden display, it may have alerted the thieves to the theft potential.
Luckily, there was some other cash that Mr Young had not yet placed in the vehicle that will still be donated to the foundation.
Amanda Young was just 18 years old when she contracted meningococcal disease and died in 1997.
The Amanda Young Foundation has done what it can to help other families with education and medication warnings after it was set up one year later.
Forrestfield Police said inquiries into the stolen cash are continuing.
Anyone who attended the open garden and took photographs should contact police to assist them with the identification of people who may be able to help with the crime investigation.
Visitors to the garden are asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 if they want to maintain their anonymity.