A man who was planning to dress as Santa to visit sick children in hospital today is "gutted" to have had his horse drawn carriages stolen - forcing him to cancel the visit.
Bernard Merry, 69, from Fjord Carriages, has offered a £1,000 reward for the return of three stolen horse drawn carriages including a one-of-a-kind pony cart.
His carriages, worth between £5,000 and £6,000 in total, were taken from a hay barn in a field located in Hurst Road, Walton-on-the-Hill, last Wednesday night.
Mr Merry, who lives in Ashtead, has now offered a reward for information leading to the recovery of the carriages which are used for charitable outings in the run up to Christmas.
He said: "It’s sad really. I have worked hard all my life. I feel gutted that I have built [the business] up over time and part of it’s just been taken away.
"It leaves a bit of an empty feeling inside that people can do things such as that."
Mr Merry had been planning to take his stolen Meadowbrook cart and his pony Woody to the Children’s Trust, which cares for sick children in Tadworth, today.
Bernard Merry's wagonette
He took part in a Christmas late night shopping event in Ashtead last Tuesday and had offered to take auction prize winners for a ride in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Mr Merry discovered the carriages, including a Polish bakers cart which is the only one of its kind in Britain, had gone at 7.30am on Thursday morning.
He said it appeared as though the thieves had broken into the neighbouring field then backed-up their lorry which "smashed" its way through a fence and hedge.
He added: "I think they used two lorries because these are heavy vehicles to move. It was a gang of them who have done it as far as I’m concerned.
"I think you’d need at least six to 10 people. They probably put them on a container and shipped them out of the county."
A Meadowbrook cart similar to Bernard Merry's carriage
His green Polish pleasure wagonette has a red lining and wheels and his dark brown Meadowbrook cart has a brass plaque saying it was made in Illinois, America.
The brown bakers cart has a label saying Fjord Carriages - the name of his part-time business that provides carts for birthday parties, weddings and other kinds of events.
Mr Merry said he bought the Polish carriages online and he got the other one from his harness maker.
Surrey Police posted on its Facebook group: "Do these carriages look familiar? Officers from the Reigate and Banstead Safer Neighbourhood Team are investigating following a theft of three horse drawn carriages.
"A number of enquiries are being made in relation to the thefts and anyone who has information on who is responsible for the theft or who knows the whereabouts of the stolen carts is urged to contact Surrey Police."
Call police on 101, quoting reference 45140104377, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Mr Merry asked anyone with information to call him on 07947 328181.
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