A SOUTH Lakeland shoe shop’s appeal to help children across the world has suffered a setback after operating for less than a week.

Alex Walker, owner of Little Walkers children’s shoe shop in Kirkby Lonsdale, had asked customers to bring in a pair of shoes that no longer fit their child so they could be passed on to a charity that distributes them around the globe.

But a banner advertising the appeal has been stolen from the side of the A65 where it had been fixed to a gate opposite the roundabout that leads to Booths supermarket.

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“When I came to work on Monday morning, the banner was gone,” said Ms Walker. “I had a permission for it from the town council. It’s beyond me, why would someone take down a banner that advertises children’s charities, not a barbecue or something like that? The banner will cost me around £74 to replace, and unfortunately that will be £74 less that I will be able to give to the children.”

As part of the appeal, used shoes that are brought into the shop will get a brush-up before being passed on to Sal’s Shoes, a charity which delivers them to children all over the world.

“There are so many children in the world to whom wearing shoes is a rarity,” said Ms Walker. “Sal’s Shoes is a fantastic charity and I wanted to support them. Feedback from my customers has been very positive. “

Until July Little Walkers, with the help of its suppliers Geox, Noel, Petasil and Ricosta will also be giving £5 for every donated pair to the Rainbow Trust children’s charity, which offers support to families who have a child with a life-threatening or terminal illness.