A football match which raised more than £10,000 for charity has been overshadowed by the suspected theft of a marquee worth £1,500 belonging to a sponsor of the event.
Tring-based Vanarama, an Autorama company, supplied the chance to win a Ford Ranger pick-up truck at the fundraiser, but its promotional white gazebo with its logo on went missing that night.
Prostate cancer survivor Benny Mitchell, 62, organised the match at Berkhamsted Football Club to raise money for hospital urology equipment. He is disappointed the company has lost out.
He said: “I feel morally obliged to reimburse Autorama by taking some money out of the funds we raised, but that would be really disappointing because it is for charity. Autorama came down to the event in good faith, so I just want to prick someone’s conscience to bring the marquee back if they have it.”
Autorama’s managing director Andy Alderson said: “We are obviously frustrated that our marquee has gone missing. If whoever has it wants to salve their conscience by returning it we would be delighted. We don’t want this suspected theft to overshadow the great day everyone had and the amazing amount of money raised.”
Call Benny on 07973 863 815 if you can help.