Vacant: Maroondah Breast Clinic nurse Christine Gray says patients were disappointed to discover the clinic's bench had been stolen. Picture: Rob Carew
PATIENTS at Maroondah Breast Clinic are dismayed at the theft of a garden bench that was bought with funds donated by a patient who died last year.
The nurses noticed the bench was missing in September and informed police, but the bench has still not been returned.
Nurse Christine Gray said the bench was very plain and had a slatted timber top. It was used by patients visiting the clinic for check-ups or treatments as a quiet place to sit and reflect.
"We had used it the Wednesday before it disappeared, because it was a nice day," she said.
The family who donated the money used to buy the bench had also donated funds towards breast cancer research and the planting of roses in the clinic garden.
The care centre will now look to raise funds for medical equipment and some fold-down chairs for their patients from its annual Bra Walk.
The Weekly has previously featured the organisers of the walk, the Pinker sisters — Kim Pinker, Catherine Blackwell and Sue Calder — who created the event after dealing with the first and second-hand effects of breast cancer following youngest sister Kim's diagnosis at just 31.
The event is open to all ages with one rule — you must wear a bra as outer-wear.
"We want people to think of innovative ways of wearing bras. You're not required to walk just with a bra on," Ms Gray said.
The Bra Walk starts at 11.30am this Sunday at Lillydale Lake. Registration starts at 10am.
Costs: $20 per person (16 and over), $40 per family (two adults and two children — children under five are free) and $10 per child (six to 15 years).
Details: melbournebreastcancerbrawalk.com