Arabic version: Puddle Jumpers تبلغ عن سرقة ألعاب عيد الميلاد

According to ABC News, Adelaide children’s charity Puddle Jumpers says thieves stole donated goods intended as Christmas presents for vulnerable families from a temporary storage facility in Brompton. SA Police confirmed it is investigating the break-in, which it said occurred in the early hours of October 28.

The charity estimates the stolen goods were worth about $23,000. They included 78 pairs of shoes, including new Nike shoes, and new Christmas items. Puddle Jumpers said in a social media post that it was “absolutely gut-wrenching” to find toys put aside for Christmas presents had been taken.

CEO and founder Melanie Tate said the impact went beyond the monetary value. She said the organisation works with children living in cars, families without enough food and children in out-of-home care. “It’s the children and families who are going to miss out,” she said.

Tate said the owners of the storage site alerted her to the theft on Friday. After reviewing camera footage, she suspected those responsible had visited the facility three or four times that week, with further goods discovered missing after the weekend.

The reported theft follows a September fire that gutted Puddle Jumpers’ Port Road op shop at Hindmarsh. Police are treating that blaze as suspicious and said investigations remain ongoing. Tate said the charity was exploring options for a new site.