THE Reading community has rallied together to raise money for a new skeleton prop stolen from a home's Halloween display.
The skeleton was stolen from Jo's Pocket Garden near King's Meadow, on October 25.
Jo, originally from Poland, has been creating displays in her front garden to celebrate Easter, Halloween and Christmas, for two years.
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She believed most people in the UK would be setting up Halloween displays and so created her first in 2017.
When she realised she was the only one doing this in the neighbourhood, she wanted to take it down but people's reactions were very positive and this encouraged her to continue.
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Following the theft, Jo felt "really demotivated" and wanted to "quit for good" but the community rallied around to support her.
A Just Giving page was set up to raise £40 for a new skeleton which surpassed its target to raise £82 and another prop was bought.
Jo thanked the community for their generosity.
She said: "Thanks to your kindness and generosity (and the miracles of 21st century logistics), the stolen skeleton has now been replaced!
"He is missing some of his accessories (like his pants), but other than that he is almost as good as the original one!
"I would like to take this opportunity to emphasise how grateful I am for all the support I have received in the past few days."
She added: "The support I received has been overwhelming and for that I am really grateful!
"I have received countless comments of encouragement, and many of you have messaged me directly to express their support.
"This is a truly great community and I’m very proud to be part of it!"
Jo revealed it takes between six to eight weeks to create her display props and two days to put them up outside.
Her favourite displays so far are her 2018 Nightmare Before Christmas display, as she loves Tim Burton, and her 2018 Halloween display.
Her current Halloween display will be on show until Saturday November 2 and Jo revealed preparations for Christmas have already begun.
This year's festive theme will be based around Santa's little helpers and Jo hopes the display will be on show by December 15.
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