The theft left the 26-year-old Palmerston man, who has Down syndrome, devastated. He enjoys wearing rugby jerseys, and had collected and sold pine cones to earn $180 to buy the All Black jersey and cap to wear while he was on holiday in Australia.
The theft, between 5.40pm and 6.40pm on Wednesday, was reported to Oamaru police and a news report was published in yesterday's Otago Daily Times.
That prompted offers of help to replace the jersey, co-ordinated by Oamaru police community constable Bruce Dow.
Const Dow said Mr Begley's family was overwhelmed by the offers of support, which ranged from offering replacement jerseys to donations to help buy a new one.
Const Dow was collating the offers pending any information about the person who stole the jersey or it being returned.
