Mountains to Sea Wellington takes hundreds of community members out each year on their free Community Snorkel days. But this year, thieves have meant they have had to cancel their December events.

The busy team were devastated to find thieves had stolen their Toyota Hilux truck, which had only just been purchased this July, and their specially designed Snorkel Trailer containing all of their equipment for snorkel events and education programmes.

Summer is their busiest season of the year, but all of this has been put in jeopardy by thieves on Saturday 29 November, who took the items from their home base at Moa Point in Wellington overnight.

Not only do the team deliver Community snorkels, they work with over a thousand students each year on marine education programmes and experiences.

“We’re only just managing to keep our school groups going till the end of their term, but it’s a scramble, and we may just have to cancel some of those trips too” says Marine Lead, Jorge Jimenez. “The costs of replacing our wetsuits and safety gear is well in excess of $25,000, but it also takes time to get the custom-made wetsuits for younger students that are right for our conditions.”

The teams’ truck and trailer are insured, but not the contents. With only half the wetsuits they had a week ago, the team cannot deliver their popular summer events.

“It’s just a real kick in the guts,” says Jimenez, and a challenge he could have done without. “All this comes at a time when many charities are struggling to find funding to keep their work going.” Mountains to Sea Wellington also leads the Love Rimuirmu seaweed restoration project, and freshwater education and enhancement across the region.

They are hoping to be able to fundraise for new gear and be ready to go again in the near future. Donations can be made at their fund-me page at https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/help-mountains-to-sea-wellington-recover#

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