A PORTHMADOG dad whose daughter’s scooter was stolen from her school has thanked the community for helping in the search to find it.

Gary Williams’ daughter Erin owns the scooter which was taken from outside Ysgol Eifion Wyn shortly before 9pm on Monday, 1 March.

However, thanks to the efforts of the community and a financial reward put up on offer, the scooter was returned on Sunday, 7 March.

Recalling the moment he realised the scooter had been stolen, Gary said: “The situation wasn’t great, but the response from the community was fantastic.

“Not only the school and leisure centre who looked at CCTV for us, but also members of the public who have looked out for the scooter.

“The school had CCTV which showed four people taking it and riding off in the direction of the leisure centre.

“This was a four-year-old’s Christmas present and whoever took should be ashamed of themselves.”

Patrick Watson, who is a manager at Barnardo’s charity shop in Porthmadog, put a post on Facebook offering a £50 reward for the return of the scooter.

He was contacted by a woman from Dolgellau saying she had the scooter. The woman said her grandparents had been shopping in Porthmadog, saw the abandoned scooter somewhere, and, as it was late, took it home to Dolgellau for them to ask their granddaughter to try to find the owners. She saw Mr Watson’s post on FB and got in touch.

Gary added: “We’re over the moon to have the scooter back especially as we’d given up hope of ever seeing it again once the trail had gone cold.

“Erin was beaming when the scooter was given back to her at our front door.”

Gary added: “We can’t thank Patrick enough for putting up the reward to get Erin’s scooter back.

“We’ll be eternally grateful to him.

“In fact we are very grateful to everybody who’s supported and helped us during the last few days.

“It really shows what a strong community we have in Porthmadog.

“Erin has been out riding her scooter already and took it to school this morning (8 March). It was a real joy to see.

“I’d like to thank everyone who has offered to help look for the scooter. Also to the people who offered to pay for a new scooter or give money towards it. It was very kind but I couldn’t accept it.”