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VISION Australia is faced with the prospect of paying hundreds of dollars to replace a promotional banner for its Easter Egg Hunt at a time when it’s needed most.
Staff arrived at work on Monday morning to find the large, yellow banner missing from the railing at the front of the Bridge Street building.
The banner was still secured to the railing when the office shut on Friday afternoon, according to Vision Australia Loddon Mallee regional business manager Megan McDonald.
“It’s so disappointing because the Easter egg hunt is a charity event, and it will cost us hundreds of dollars to replace the banner,” she said.
“The banner isn’t useful for any other purpose. We’re hoping that someone may find it and return it to us.”
The alleged theft comes less than a fortnight before the start of the hunt, which will this year take place over two days.
The event has been extended to both Good Friday and Easter Saturday to cater for demand.
A total of 6000 children are expected to partake in this year’s Easter Egg Hunt.
About 178,000 eggs will be scattered near the rotunda in Rosalind Park throughout the charity event.
All proceeds help Vision Australia provide services that support people who are blind or have low vision to live the lives they choose.
The event is one of the not-for-profit organisation’s largest fundraisers, nationwide, and a highlight of the Bendigo Easter Festival.
Vision Australia supports more than 26,000 people who are blind or have low vision.
Police are investigating the banner theft and have asked anyone with information to call the Bendigo Police Station on 5448 1300.