Thieves steal trees donated to New Elgin Primary School
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CHILDREN and staff at New Elgin Primary School have been left in shock after trees which had been donated to the school were stolen recently.
Rotary Elgin had gifted 40 fir trees to the school just before Christmas while The Woodland Trust donated 40 fruit trees this term.
Pupils had planted the trees in the school playground as part of efforts to make the area greener and more environmentally friendly.
However, on Thursday morning this week, staff discovered that they had all been stolen.
Head Teacher Elaine Milne says CCTV footage in which two men can be seen acting suspiciously has been given to police.
Ms Milne said: "The staff and pupils are obviously upset that this has happened in our tight-knit community and after such generosity from Rotary Elgin and The Woodland Trust.
"It's heartbreaking that anyone would think this is acceptable.
"We'll pass all relevant information on the theft to the police and would ask any member of the public who may have information to do so as well."
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "We received a report around 11.15am on Friday, March 18 about the theft of trees from the grounds of New Elgin Primary School.
"Enquiries are ongoing and at an early stage."
Ms Milne says that the community response to the news has been "overwhelming" after the school were inundated with support after the news broke yesterday.
"We've been really quite overwhelmed by the kindness of the community and we're grateful for all offers of support," she added.
"We're going to consider all the offers and respond directly to the people who have been in touch to put a plan in place for after the Easter break.
"We're going to get together and try and make a wee eco fund with all these donations so we can create something new and fabulous next term to put all of this behind us."
