A FATHER is appealing for the return of an ornament stolen at a charity fundraiser for his late wife.

After Ray Collings’ wife of 22 years, Sharon, died on August 4 his son, Guy, and other friends and family decided to set up the Sharon Collings Events company.

The 41-year-old, who worked in community nursing, died of cervical cancer and acute kidney failure.

So the company was set up to raise money for the Ellenor Lions Hospice and the Willow Foundation which had helped to look after Sharon in the last days of her life.

Mr Collings’ said: "We wanted to keep busy it was something to focus on as well as grieving and we wanted to do some good for other people."

As part of the fundraising the 43-year-old, of St Hilda’s Way, Gravesend, organised a Halloween-themed event on October 25 at the Westcourt inn in the same road.

But the event, which raised £525 for each charity, was marred by a ghost ornament which Sharon had bought being stolen along with a large pumpkin, four smaller pumpkins and two ornamental witches.

Mr Collings said: “The ghost didn’t cost a lot but it has sentimental value as my wife, Sharon, bought it as a present for our dog, Raspberry, who was born on Halloween. It is the principle.”

The ghost which was taken was around eight inches tall, and was placed on a table near the main bar during the event which was attended by more than 100 people.

The stairlift engineer said: “This was our first event and everyone had a brilliant time, it is a shame that things were taken.

“We kept it to people we knew and people who others knew. Everyone who was there had purchased a ticket.

“It is a shame because you would have thought everyone was there knew why they were there.”

“It may seem trivial but it would be nice to have it back,” he said.

He appealed to anyone who had taken it: “We gave people a really nice evening so please give it back.”

Although the theft has dampened Mr Collings’ spirits he said everyone had a lovely time and it was a success.

“As a first event we are very pleased with the way the night went and how much was raised. A lot of people made an effort and turned up in fancy dress and all the children seemed to enjoy themselves.

"I know that she would have been over the moon that it went as it did."

He paid tribute to his late wife, saying: “She loved animals and was the kind of person who carried a spare dog lead and if she saw a stray dog she would take it home to its owner if it had a collar.”

The event included apple bobbing, a lucky dip, raffle, and a performances from a band named Running on Empty.

Anyone with information about the ghost or the other items should ring the News Shopper on 01689 885705 or email Mr Collings at info@sharoncollingsevents.co.uk For more north Kent stories log onto newsshopper.co.uk/news/local/northkent/