By ALANAH MAY ERIKSEN
One of Rotorua's most loveable mascots has been stolen.
Harold the Giraffe was taken from the Life Education Trust's mobile classroom on the weekend.
The puppet, worth $1400, is only 4 weeks old and was purchased to replace the old puppet with funding
from the Rotary Club of Rotorua.
The mobile classroom's educator Chris Turner said he was in the middle of taking a class yesterday morning at one of the local primary schools when he realised Harold was missing.
"I went to get him out and he was gone.
"Luckily I had the old one in my car so I told the kids to close their eyes and we played a game, they were none the wiser."
Mr Turner said the thieves must have put their finger through a small hole in the door to loosen the catch.
"I was shocked, just so disappointed.
"This is a major thing, to lose the lovable puppet."
He suspects it was children who took Harold because nothing else was taken.
The Life Education Trust teaches youngsters about keeping their bodies healthy and about respecting themselves and others.
Harold the giraffe is a vital part of Life Education Trust's show. Children wait excitedly through the whole lesson for him to come out at the end and sing songs, tell jokes and ask questions.
Life Education Trust chairman Mike France said a child might have taken him as a bit of a joke or to show off to their friends.
"Parents may just see him in their room and think nothing of it. But if we get him back there will be no questions asked."
If anyone has any information they can contact Mr France on (07) 348 6199 ext 838.
