Harold the Giraffe stolen

The face of Life Education Vans in Australia was stolen from Thurgoona on Tuesday night devastating children, teachers and educators.

Yesterday life education classes at Thurgoona Public School were cancelled as police investigated what had happened to the iconic giraffe.

Sen-Constable Kellie Chessor, of Albury police, said the van was parked at the Thurgoona Public School in Bottlebrush St on Tuesday night when thieves struck.

“The kids are pretty devastated,” she said.

She said thieves had forced the window of the caravan to steal Harold.

The bright yellow giraffe was the only thing stolen during the theft and is used as an aid to teach children how to stay healthy.

“We would just like Harold returned safely,” she said.

Life Education NSW educator Debbie Atkins said generations of children had met Harold and been educated by him about healthy eating and living.

“He is very well known and has been around for 28 years,” she said.

“He makes children more aware of their bodies and how to live a healthy life.”

Ms Atkins said Harold played an integral role in classes.

“The children can come and give him a kiss and a cuddle and he is a bit cheeky, he chews on my hair,” she said.

“One child out of the class is chosen to come and feed him a banana at the end of the class.”

Ms Atkins said she was appealing to the thieves to return Harold.

“We can’t have classes without Harold,” she said.

“Classes were cancelled yesterday and the kinders were very excited to meet him as they hadn’t seen him before.”