Today in 1960, The Times of Cyprus reported that meanest theft of the year had left Britain’s ’round the world hikers,’ passing through Cyprus, destitute:
Bearded Brian Belt from York, and Londoner Norman Dorrity, had only a few essential possessions when they arrived in Cyprus several weeks ago.
But now they have lost even these to a thief who sneaked into their tent, pitched on scrub land at Dhekelia and stripped it bare.
All their clothes, their sleeping bags, razors, washing kit and a tiny home-made paraffin stove were stolen. “He even took a box of matches” said Brian grimly yesterday.
“There’s not an awful lot of money concerned although the sleeping bags were worth 10 pounds each. But to us this is a terrible blow. We will probably have to use the money we have scraped together by working to make up the loss.”
All that the travellers, who are trying to reach New Zealand overland, have left are the thin clothes they wearing and a flimsy tent.
The sneak thief did his work on Saturday, when Brian and Norman were busy cleaning windows for service families in Dhekelia married quarters.
For the past two nights they have slept without covering .
Can you help Brian and Norman? They need a few old blankets, second hand shirts or jackets, and socks. With these and with fresh hope they are determined to carry on.