Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada is asking anyone who has seen its pontoon boat to contact them.
The organization says the boat, which was fully adapted for children that need special access, was stolen from its office on the Trans-Canada Highway in Dorval, in Montreal’s West Island, last Thursday.
“We take them tubing, boating. It was adapted with special wheelchair access and tie-downs, a full bathroom for the kids,” executive director Brian Bringolf told Global News.
He said surveillance footage from the neighbours show someone smashing the lock on the gate at about 10:58 p.m., hooking up the boat, which was on a trailer, and driving away five minutes later.
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“I guess it was a little too portable,” Bringolf said.
The foundation has had the boat for three years, taking children adapted waterskiing and boating across Greater Montreal.
“Hopefully, we will get out on the water with a new boat and take some children, but kids in wheelchairs will have to miss the summer,” he told Global News.
“Some of them might not be around next summer, so we want to give these lasting memories.”
A police report was filed, but Bringolf said he was told they would be lucky if the pontoon was found.
He told Global News the hardest part — even if the foundation gets a new boat — will be to re-adapt it for all children to have special access.
“These things have railings around them, so we have to get them widened, have ramps made,” he said.
“We had a full toilet installed so mums and dads can help their children in wheelchairs.”
Anyone with information is asked to call 1-888-782-7947 or email info@starlightcanada.org
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