Roofer to the rescue after costumes stolen from dance show

A BIG-hearted business owner has stepped in to help young dancers after their costumes for an upcoming show were stolen.
Scott Miller and son Lewis Miller both directors of Compass Roofing who have donated money to replace the lost kids costumes stolen from a car for an upcoming show. Picture; Greg MacveanScott Miller and son Lewis Miller both directors of Compass Roofing who have donated money to replace the lost kids costumes stolen from a car for an upcoming show. Picture; Greg Macvean
Scott Miller and son Lewis Miller both directors of Compass Roofing who have donated money to replace the lost kids costumes stolen from a car for an upcoming show. Picture; Greg Macvean

Leith-based roofer Scott Miller acted after reading the Evening News’ story on Tuesday about the outfits being taken in teacher Andrea Mannion’s car.

Neighbours, parents and fellow dance schools have since rallied round in an outpouring of support.

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“It’s all a bit overwhelming if I’m honest because I’m not used to all this help,” said Andrea, 49. “For Scott to offer help is such a nice surprise.”

The costumes for Andrea’s 65 dance students, aged three to 18, were in the car stolen from outside her Port Seton home last Monday.

Many of the outfits are more than 20 years old and irreplaceable – borrowed from a retired dance teacher or made by Andrea’s mum.

Scott, 48, owner of Compass Roofing, said: “My daughter used to go to dance class and she joked about dragging me to shows. But I know what this means to parents so I’m happy to get involved and help out in any way I can.”

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Andrea is now in talks with Scott over what needs to be replaced, what can be borrowed and what can be made from scratch for the June 10 show.

Fabric, costumes and accessories will all be needed for the movie-themed annual event at Church Hill Theatre in Morningside.

On the bill will be modern jazz and ballet interpretations of films including Harry Potter and Mission Impossible.

“There are little bits and bobs parents can help with and a neighbour has even offered to sew costumes for us,” said Andrea.

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“I won’t let the children down. They’ve been working on the show since last month and it’s not an option to cancel – I won’t give in.”

Widowed mother-of-two Andrea was woken at 5am last Monday to find the door forced open and car keys taken.

Andrea’s £12,000 Kia was missing, along with bags of costumes and accessories for her Musselburgh-based school.

“Some of the costumes are irreplaceable – certainly in ten weeks – so it’ll be all hands on deck. Luckily, I’d taken some out midweek,” she said.

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“Long-term I still need to replace the base costumes which get used year after year which’ll be really hard – it’s not just about this show. The children are really upset, particularly the younger ones – to see their little faces...”

Police are appealing for help in trying to find Andrea’s dark grey Kia Cee’d registration H20KEM.

Investigating officer DC Elsa Bunyan of Musselburgh CID said: “I’m keen to speak to anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious in this area in the early hours of last Monday, or anyone who may have seen the car or knows where it is now.”

Anyone with information can contact Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.