Boost for crime-hit charity
FIRM’S CASH HELP FOR CHILDREN’S GROUP TARGETED BY THIEVES
Staff at a Wearside firm have dug deep to raise cash for a children’s charity targeted by thieves.
Children and staff at Sunderland’s Box Youth Project, were left devastated when thieves stole their new van, which had cost them £8,500.
The project, which does work with young people and the community, said they couldn’t believe anyone would do something like that to a charity.
The theft happened in September and raiders cut through two sets of padlocked gates with an angle grinder to take the van, which young adults, many with special needs, used to carry out work in the community to raise cash for the charity’s activities.
Lisa Wilson-Riddell, the charity’s youth and community worker, said everyone, including all the children, was left very upset by the theft.
In a bid to give the charity and the children a boost, staff at crane manufacturer Liebherr, invited a group of young people to spend the morning at the plant and also handed over a cheque for £834.
Lisa said: “When they read about what had happed to us they wanted to do something to help.
“It was really fantastic of them to raise the money for us.
“The two apprentices who showed us around were brilliant, they told the young people all about the work and really engaged with them.”
The youth worker said she was very grateful to Liebherr for their support.
The Box Youth Project, which is based in Sunderland’s Hall Farm Road, was set up 16 years ago and provides scores of activities and educational events for young people.