Sunday, June 21, 2009

Autistic boy distraught at cruel flag collection theft

A YOUNG boy who suffers from autism was devastated after his beloved collection of flags was stolen.
Finn Gillespie has built up a collection of 40 flags, which he puts up every morning and takes down each night, as part of a routine.
Mum Emily said it helped her beloved seven-year-old son cope while his dad an Army doctor, is away serving in Afghanistan.
Mrs Gillespie, who lives in Catterick Garrison, today appealed for anyone who knows where the flags are to hand them in to the Royal Military Police.
She said the theft of Finn’s beloved collection had badly affected his daily routine as well as leaving him upset at their loss.
Mrs Gillespie said: “My little boy is devastated, it is absolutely heartbreaking.
“Every morning, he puts them up on flag poles in the garden, which are attached to his castle-shaped climbing frame.
“He takes them down in the evening and puts them in a box, which he calls his office. This is left outside, and is probably visible from the road. He woke up crying in the middle of the night on Sunday, saying the flags had been stolen, and sure enough, he was right.”
Mrs Gillespie said she was not seeking any sort of punishment against the thief, merely asking for the flags to be returned for Finn.
She said: “The flags are his pride and joy, and watching them fluttering in the breeze really helps calm him down.
“He is absolutely lost without them, and has definitely been disturbed by the incident . . . it will really rock his world.
“He keeps asking when the flags will be coming back, and I just don’t know how to answer him. I’m not cross with whoever took them, I just want them back.”
If anyone knows where the flags are, they are asked to contact the Royal Military Police in Richmond Road, Catterick Garrison, on 01748-872876.

(Reproduced from The Sunday Sun, 21st June)

GARDIEN TIP: A secure storage unit could prove very cost-effective when then flags are returned. See http://www.garden-security.co.uk/AsgardUniversal.aspx

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