Fundraising page for Hastings bonfire society after fireworks theft

The society’s warehouse in Rye was broken into last month with various professional, Chinese fireworks taken.

Since it was revealed the fireworks were for the big night on October 15, the community has rallied around as society chairman Nick Lynas said a number of people have offered their support.

Claire-Marie Mewitt went so far as to set up a crowdfunding page with £200 raised in 18 hours.

Mr Lynas said he was pleased by the amount of solidarity and love for the event shown in the past few days.

“It just show the depth of feeling for the bonfire event, everyone loves it and wants it to be as good as it has always been, especially in the 950th year,” he said.

“Which it will be it just means there won’t be as much money in the pot as usual.

“It’s very pleasing and satisfying to know that we’re running an event that has this amount of support.”

Mr Lynas said the society’s Facebook page has had more than 16,200 hits over the past 24 hours as people have been trying to contact them.

Ms Mewitt’s page has a number of kind messages of support from those who have donated, including Neil Mather who said: “The show must go on as well as planned! Happy to contribute to something that usually costs me nothing. Well done to all at HBBS.”

Emily Thompsett added: “Good luck one and all! I have every faith it’ll be amazing as always.”

Someone used a disc cutter to break into the licensed storage facility and took mainly cakes and Roman candles designed to be used by trained professionals.

Police said it was most likely a targeted and planned theft which is being investigated but officers warned people not to buy any suspicious fireworks which could be extremely dangerous in the wrong hands.

To donate on the Just Giving page, visit: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/HastingsBonfireSocietystolenfireworks.

For more information about the bonfire society and to contact them directly, visit www.hbbs.info.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police by emailing [email protected] or calling 101, quoting serial 518 of 17/09.

Alternatively, call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org

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