Thieves targeted O’Shea’s Walkerston Hotel, now the community is rallying with a raffle

The community is rallying to help the family-run O’Shea’s Walkerston Hotel after thieves targeted it for the fourth time in as many years.

Andrew and Karen Guthrie were devastated when they walked into their Walkerston pub on Wednesday morning to find the side doors smashed and $16,000 worth of electronics and cash ripped from the safe.

“It was a big kick in the guts,” Mr Guthrie said.

Thieves targeted Andrew and Karen Guthrie’s business O’Shea’s Hotel Walkerston for the fourth time in as many years. This time, they also took little Johnny’s iPad. Picture: Contributed.

He said this was the fourth time in as many years thieves had targeted the business.

Mr Guthrie said a woman had ramraided the establishment four years ago, causing $60,000 worth of damage.

“Then three years ago they busted through the side door and took a few thousand, and two years ago they smashed through again taking all the takings and cigarettes, about $14,000 worth,” Mr Guthrie said

He said it did not get any easier.

“You just get real sick, I was dry-retching for hours,” he said.

“But that’s just life, isn’t it?

“You just have to start again, you can’t let it beat you.”

Mr Guthrie said this time, along with the float the thieves took the footy tippings and their three-year-old son Johnny’s iPad.

“Johnny plays on his iPad every night in the pub while we work,” he said.

“Everybody loves Johnny.”

Now the Walkerston community is rallying to help the family with a raffle at O’Shea’s Saturday afternoon.

In particular, Mr Guthrie said everyone wanted to help get Johnny a new iPad.

“Walkerston Country Meats is putting in a meat-tray, Walkerston Fuel is putting in a voucher, Social Fresh and Local have a voucher too.”

“Even two local guys Peter Webb and Wolfie are putting in some whiskey and a carton of beer.”

“The raffle was everybody’s idea, that’s the Walkerston community spirit.”

For anyone wanting to contribute, head to O’Shea’s Walkerston Hotel at 4pm on Saturday.