Charity’s workshop trashed by vandals
A LOCAL charity says it will take more than a month to recover after its workshop was ruined by vandals.
Ridewise, a charity which provides support for people who are living in transport poverty, were alerted by members of the local community to the vandalism which took place last week at their workshop in Lenton Abbey Park.
The charity had been temporarily closed before it was vandalised due to travellers moving into the nearby field.
When volunteers gained access to the property on Saturday hey found that they had been vandalised and that equipment had been stolen.
Bikes, tools, fridges, hydraulic pumps and a variety of workshop materials were taken and the workshop’s resident dog has had his bed and bowls stolen.
Chief executive of Ridewise, Helen Hemstock said: “Really lovely members of the community got in touch with us to let us know it was happening.
“We think it happened on multiple occasions last week.
“The whole workshop is managed by volunteers and in the last year they’ve serviced and given out 700 bikes to key workers.
“It’s genuinely at the heart of everything that we do.
“A lot of it was just reckless vandalism which has a massive impact on us but would have been of very little value to anyone else.
“The bowls for our work dog, Arty, were stolen and the fridges we had fitted for the children couldn’t be taken so they ripped all the wiring, so we’ve got lots of senseless damage.”
PROJECT HAS PROVIDED 700 BIKES TO KEY WORKERS
The workshop supports people through mechanical and volunteering activities.
Mrs Hemstock said that the vandalism had ruined a lot of hard work.
“Its just been very sad, we’ve built it up from nothing and it takes a lot of work.
“All the glass and debris is now clean, which at least makes it safe so that’s out of the way.
“But now it’s about us trying to take stock and replenish all the things we need, it’s not just tool kits that we need, we’re a professional workshop and we’ve lost all sorts of equipment like hydraulic pumps and heat guns.
“It’s going to take a month or so to get things back in place.”
The charity has appealed for retailers, bike shops and the public to donate bikes to help them recover.
According to the chief executive the response from the local community had softened the discovery.
She said: “People were coming and bringing drinks for us while we cleared up, they’ve stepped in and made us feel less disheartened.
“We had dog walkers coming and people bringing their kids to say hello to us and we’ve had more people volunteer to help us sweep up and start to rebuild which has been really nice.
“We appreciate all the help and we’re determined to build back bigger and better.”
Sergeant Bruce Clarke, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Vandalising other people’s property is absolutely appalling and disrespectful behaviour, and wherever this type of criminal damage is reported to us we will investigate thoroughly.
“Charities involve a lot of hardworking and dedicated people and it’s really saddening when it is these groups that are impacted negatively by the destructive actions of a few individuals.
“Officers made a number of enquiries, including CCTV, and spoke to a number of people in the local community when they attended following the incident on 6 August and while no arrests have been made yet we will actively investigate any potential leads that come to our attention.
“As neighbourhood officers, we want to hear from our communities so we can make sure we are proactively tackling the issues that matter to them. We would highly encourage anyone with information or with any concerns to get in touch with their neighbourhood team on 101.”