DEVASTATED
Staff left disgusted after arsonists target centre used by autistic musicians
THIS is the scene of devastation autistic musicians were met with when they turned up for rehearsals.
Arsonists are believed to have targeted the hall used as a recording studio and performance space by Aukestra, a non-profit organisation that gives vulnerable adults the opportunity to play in a band.
Police are today hunting the reckless firestarters who struck at the hall, in Birtley, Gateshead.
Jak Dixon, 43, who set up Aukestra, said: “It’s absolutely devastating. The whole place could have gone up in smoke.”
Aukestra staff discovered their base, at the Mary Sanders Memorial Hall on Durham Road, had been targeted when they turned up for work on Tuesday morning.
They found the newly refurbished rehearsal space and recording studio had been gutted, with around £30,000 worth of music equipment buried beneath a pile of soot and rubble.
Not long after some of the group’s clients, who are all vulnerable adults with autism or learning difficulties, arrived for their rehearsals. But the musicians, many of whom rely on Aukestra for friendships, support and interaction, had to be sent home.
“We just had to do the best we could,” said Jak. “We have 15 clients all on the autism spectrum. Some of them were quite upset by it, and by the fact that their normal routines had been disrupted.
“But this is not going to stop us doing what we do. We work with a client group whose lives are already challenging.”
Jak later discovered that emergency services had been called at around 1.30am after people living nearby heard the sound of explosions coming from the building.
Police say two wheelie bins were pushed against the back door of the building and set alight.
Jak said the attack would have a significant impact on the project. He said: “It is a full-time project and people attend the hall five times a week from all over the North East.
“This is a place that does an awful lot of good for people that aren’t very well represented and who don’t get many opportunities to do what they do.” Aukestra had been due to perform for Look North cameras today as part of BBC Music day.
Jak said: “They were going to interview the clients about how music has a positive impact on their mental health
“But now we have got no instruments, no PA system and no performance space.
“I’ve been frantically looking around for somewhere we can use.”
As police continue to probe the fire, the local community has been rallying round Aukestra.
More than £2,300 has been donated to a GoFundMe page set up to help the group get back on its feet.
PC Steve Moore, who is based at Gateshead Police Station, said: “I would ask anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area of the hall on Monday night or Tuesday morning to get in touch with police on 101, quoting log 72 17/09/19, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.”