A PUBLIC appeal has been made after someone took a unique piece of art created to pay tribute to the NHS.
Dozens of people across the community have placed brightly painted pebbles along Thorngate, in Barnard Castle, with inspirational messages and tributes to the NHS.
Art teacher Teresa Keeling has been co-ordinating the community effort from her home and the pebble artwork display stretches half way across Thorngate bridge. The aim is to reach the other side.
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However, she was dismayed to learn that one of the pebbles, depicting an NHS nurse, was stolen today.
She posted on social media: “It is with extreme sadness this stone went missing today at 1pm. It went just after two runners were looking at them. Funny enough I saw that runner at the same time with a stone in his hand running up the side of the castle from the county bridge. I thought it strange. Please if you have this stone or you are given it, please put it back where it belongs for the community not for yourself. I honestly feel like giving up.”
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Other stones have also gone missing in recent days, although some parties have returned them. There are a number of signs asking people not to take the mini-artworks.
Ms Keeling, who has raised more than £600 for the charity Refuge through donations to her “art house” on Thorngate, plans to ask people who have put down pebbles if she can sell them afterwards for the good cause.
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