Nathan Begley is upset at the theft of his All Blacks
jersey. Photo by Linda Robertson.
The 26-year-old Palmerston man, who has Down syndrome,
loves wearing rugby jerseys, including those of his favourite
All Black and Highlanders' teams, his mother Daphne Begley
said, although yesterday he was in a Crusaders jersey.
On Wednesday night, Mr Begley was gutted when he went back to
the changing room at the Waitaki Recreation Centre in Oamaru
after training in the gym to find his new All Blacks jersey
had been stolen.
The jersey had been bought with money he had earned from
collecting and selling pine cones, put into a special account
by his parents for spending money.
He had saved for the All Blacks jersey and hat because he
wanted to wear it on his holiday in Australia, showing his
true colours.
A Special Olympian, competing nationally in swimming and
power-lifting, Mr Begley travels from Palmerston three times
a week on Saturday mornings, Monday and Wednesday evenings to
train in Oamaru at the gym.
He showed off his new jersey to the people he trains with at
the gym, talking about his holiday in Australia.
"He's a trusting little guy. He went and changed and usually
takes his gear back into the gym, but this time left it in
the changing room," she said.
Some time between 5.40pm and 6.40pm, the jersey was taken.
Mrs Begley said her son was very upset at losing the jersey.
"I just about have to prise it off him to get it in the
wash," he said.
Oamaru police community constable Bruce Dow hoped publicity
about the loss would prompt whoever took the jersey to return
it.
- david.bruce@odt.co.nz
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