World Cup kit has been taken after a car was stolen in the Black Country just a day before a team is about to fly to compete this weekend. The principal of La’Pelle Academy of Dance, Nicole Paskin, had driven home to Stourbridge with the team’s kit ready for the Dance World Cup in Dublin where the groups junior and senior dancers will compete for England.
But overnight on Thursday (July 9) into Friday (July 10), Nicole’s black Jaguar F-PACE was stolen in Heath Street, Stourbridge. It contained the team’s World Cup kit and documents ready for the Dance World Cup Dublin Finals which run from July 8 to 18.
Desperate Appeal for Return
Nicole said: “My car was parked at the roadside where I live. I just finished and got back around 7.30pm to 8pm on Thursday and went into the house. I went to get something from the car this morning and it wasn’t there.” The 38-year-old principal added: “I have 27 dancers competing at the Dance World Cup. It’s huge. It’s a big deal just to get in. The kit was ordered in January and came the day before and now it is gone.”
The team flies to Dublin in the morning and Nicole is desperate for it to be returned and is even offering £500 if someone can do so. It includes ballet shoes and tights as well as outfits. They want the special kit to compete in the World Cup – although parents are rallying around to help if the special kit is not returned.
Community Support
Nicole said: “Luckily I have got a good lot of parents that are very, very helpful. People are trying to help. We have two classical ballet groups juniors and seniors competing and a senior lyrical group. There are 11,000 dancers competing at the World Cup at The Convention Centre Dublin and we fly in the morning.”
The 38-year-old continued: “We first compete tomorrow evening and then on Wednesday, Friday and next Saturday. I have been very upset all day. But people have come together. My dancers, all girls are aged five to 21. We will be going with teachers and parents. The thieves broke a window in the car and took it. The kit was in a cardboard box.”
Police Investigation
A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said: “We have received a report of a car being stolen from Heath Lane, Stourbridge, between 8pm yesterday (Thursday) and 9.45am today (Friday). Anyone with information can contact us on 101 or via Live Chat on our website, quoting log 1543 of 10 July.”
Anyone who knows the kit’s whereabouts and can get it back to Nicole is urged to email: ndpaskin@gmail.com or contact police. But they need the kit back this evening. Nicole added: “I am still hoping it will turn up somewhere!”
