Fast vandals ruin family fundraiser

Andrew Mathieson
Brazen vandals have trashed the Christmas lights of a cancer survivor who planned to use her display as a fundraiser for charity.
Corio’s Chris Foreman was devastated after a phone call told her the vandals had stolen decorations and cut lights moments after she left home for work on Saturday night.
Seven Christmas displays including Santa Claus, reindeers and candy cane sets had gone missing and a further 10 were damaged beyond repair less than 30 minutes after Ms Foreman left home.
She estimated the cost at more than $1000.
Ms Foreman’s family had spent 12 hours during the day putting on finishing touches after she had toiled on the elaborate front yard display since October.
“I just cried when I found out,” Ms Foreman said.
“I couldn’t believe someone could do that.”
Ms Foreman went into remission for life-threatening cervical cancer in 2001.
She intends to use the display to collect donations for Cancer Council Victoria, with a fundraising target of at least $2000.
Ms Foreman said she had made provisions to secure a wishing well in the front yard after the Saturday night attack.
The well would be padlocked and donations collected regularly to deter the vandals and thieves.
Ms Foreman said she had also installed a video camera to keep watch over her lights display.
A sign on the front fence alerted passers by to the vandalism.
“I’m not going to let them beat me,” Ms Foreman said.
“They have knocked me but they haven’t destroyed it.”
Ms Foreman’s family has since rallied to replace the stolen and damaged displays.
She said police had inspected the Colorado Drive property but told her it would be impossible to trace the fingerprints.
Ms Foreman said neighbours’ had supported her “lighting up for cancer”.
A young girl with Down syndrome was eager to show the “fairy house” to her friends riding a special bus on Monday, she said.
“The whole reason I have done all this is to put a smile on a child’s dial,” Ms Foreman said.
She could forgive the vandals for damaging the Christmas decorations but not for ruining the dreams of a child.
“They stole a little girl’s smile,” she said.
• The Independent will publish a list of Christmas lights displays each Friday before Christmas. For inclusion on the list, send addresses and contact details to: editorial@geelongindependent.com.au; fax 5221 3823; or phone 5221 5200.