KIND-hearted residents have rallied to support young Warwickshire Pride members after their Easter eggs were stolen.
Proud Youth is a branch of the county’s pride charity representing the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. It has around 80 members aged 13 to 19.
To celebrate Easter the group planned an Easter egg hunt and hid chocolate eggs around Leamington’s Jephson Gardens just ahead of the young people arriving.
But they and the Proud Youth members were devastated when they returned to discover nearly all of the eggs had been stolen.
Warwickshire Pride founder Daniel Browne said: “The young people had been looking forward to the hunt all week, so were very disappointed. I was shocked, and some of the young people were quite upset.
“Many of the young people we support are vulnerable and isolated. Most are bullied at school and not accepted by their families. The group is the only place where they can relax, be themselves, have fun and forget about the stresses they face every single day.
“The theft meant that they had to go without, which is a shame.”
But the group had an outpouring of support from the community, with residents donating more than £200 to buy new eggs.
Daniel told the Observer: “The donations have enabled us to replace the Easter eggs that were taken. Anything left over will be used to continue supporting Proud Youth members to be who they are.
“Everyone’s support is very appreciated and goes some way to restore faith in humanity and community spirit.”
Visit www.warwickshirepride.co.uk to donate or find out more.
