Thieves steal scarecrows raising funds for sick child

Vandals and thieves have been targeting a fundraising appeal for a severely ill 9-year-old boy from Somerset. Harvey Hext from the Chew Valley is the only known child in the world to have both Down's syndrome and neuroblastoma, a form of cancer that attacks the nervous system.

The Harvey Hext Appeal Scarecrow Trail has put up specially designed scarecrows around villages in the Chew Valley area, designed and built by local volunteers.

People are invited to buy a map, hunt down the scarecrows and guess their names. Money raised from the scarecrow trail will go towards the £300,000 needed to help Harvey get the treatment he needs.

But now some of the scarecrows have been damaged by vandals, while others have been removed completely.

But now some of the scarecrows have been damaged by vandals, while others have been removed completely.

Killen's James Bond was one of the first scarecrows to go missing from Killen's Estate Agent in Chew Manga.

His head and upper torso complete with jacket were ripped from his legs.

The Beatles crossing Abbey Road, made by Winford Primary School was also vandalised. John Lennon's jacket and straw arms were taken from the display.

Ginger Spice - which stood outside SO... Hair and Beauty in Wrington - was set on fire on the evening of Friday 30 October. It caused great dismay to staff.

The trail has been running for four years and has already raised more than half of the £300,000 target.

But if scarecrows keep coming under attack it may not be able to continue for much longer.

You can find out more about the trail and Harvey's appeal on the facebook page.