THE SMILE was wiped off the faces of charity event organisers after thieves struck, slashing a company’s teepees and stealing equipment - leaving them with a £20k repair bill.

Totally Tipi’s 100 Smiles event was a celebration for more than 150 people from across the region who go out of their way to make other people happy. The event, in the ground of the Three Acres near Emley Moor, was a free party to honour the region’s most dedicated volunteers and charity fundraisers.

Sometime between October 17 and 18 the four giant event teepees and kitchen marquee were slashed and equipment, including lighting, cabling and heaters, was stolen. The damage and theft is estimated at £20,000 to fix and replace plus hours of valuable time.

Jay Ashton, director of Mapplewell-based Totally Tipi, has appealed for anyone with information to contact police.

“We had had a wonderful event celebrating the great things that people in our region do for local charities and community groups. How ironic that the complete opposite of mankind would come and cast this dark shadow. We will not let acts of theft get in the way of the fantastic events we have upcoming.

“We know the location of the incident at Emley Moor is out of the way, but we’re hoping anyone who may see equipment such as the 7Q5 lights, LED Master 64 desk, Clarke Devil 3kw Industrial fan heaters being sold or anyone who saw suspicious behaviour will come forward and help police find who is responsible.”

The 100 Smiles initiative was funded by Totally Tipi and ran on the generosity and kindness of other local businesses.

Anyone with information should contact West Yorkshire Police on 101 quoting crime reference number 13170484630.